by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers, NY — Approved Action, the easiest of winners in consecutive Open Handicap Trot events, must negotiate the eight hole in Friday night’s $15,000 co-feature at Yonkers Raceway. Post time for the 10 race card is 7:40 p.m., with the week’s marquee trot going as the seventh race. Approved Action — along with regular companion Rejean Daigneault — looks to author a seventh seasonal victory. The tamdem found themselves left alone on the lead each of the past two weeks. The half-dozen ’04 wins to date — all here — have pushed Approved Action’s career cash to more than $665,000. The seven-year-old statebred son of Sir Taurus, bred, owned and trained by John Grasso, has 27 victories and 46 board finishes in 85 career work nights. Blastaway Sahbra (Stephane Bouchard, post seven) managed to get into second against Approved Action a week ago after dead-heating for third in his local return two weeks ago. The six-year-old Striking Sahbra gelding, co-owned by Dean Davis and Brenda Sugg and trained by Mark Ford, tries for a 14th win of the season. Tagapine (Driver TBA, post six) returns to the Open ‘Cap ranks after a handy, odds-on win versus the high conditioned crowd. The four-year-old Tagliabue miss, co-owned by Nunzio Geniti and William Schiffer, Jr. and trained by Jean Claude Jobidon, has hit the board in four of her last five efforts. Riverofglory (Jeff Gregory, post four) and Blast Off (John Plutino, post five) were 1-2 in last week’s Preferred event after the latter wound up in a tie for third (with Blastaway Sahbra) in an Open ‘Cap two weeks ago. Cumin Go (Driver TBA, post one) defeated lesser two starts ago for his lone ’04 victory. Jetset Matt (Lou Paulucci, post two) and On Tour (Ray Schnittker, post three) complete the collage. Friday’s $15,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace (sixth race) finds Tasma Walton A (Bouchard) assigned outside her six rivals. The seven-year-old Down Under daughter of Walton Hanover, owned by Keisers Obermand Stable and trained by Tim Case, responded to some class relief with a pair of victories versus the Preferred ‘Cap posse. Friday’s evening simulcast schedule includes the Meadows (post time 4:00), Bay Meadows (4:15), Buffalo (6:30), Northfield (7:00), Saratoga (7:00), Pompano (7:20), Meadowlands (7:30) and Maywood (8:40). Yonkers’ current four night per week schedule (Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday) has a first post of 7:40 p.m. Afternoon simulcasting continues to be offered around the NYRA schedule. October’s evening/harness simulcast schedule includes Buffalo Raceway, Colonial Downs, Freehold Raceway, Harrington Raceway, Hazel Park, Meadowlands, the Meadows, Monticello Raceway, Mountaineer Race Track, Northfield Park, Northville Downs, Penn National, Pocono Downs, Pompano Park, Raceway Park, Red Mile and Saratoga Raceway. For more information, or to obtain a calendar, please contact the Raceway at (914) 968-4200.