by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers, NY — Friday night’s first of October at Yonkers Raceway offered wine, women, song…and another stroll around the surroundings by Approved Action. The classy veteran statebred duplicated his win in the weekly Open Handicap Trot, using exactly the same MO as last week. With regular sitter Rejean Daigneault at the controls, Approved Action, the 6-5 wagering favorite, took control of the throttle before a sedate :29.1 opening quarter-mile. Although Daigneault and his date were required by law to complete the remaining six furlongs, the night’s issue was effectively over. Approved Action walked to the intermission in :59.4 and the three-quarters in 1:29.2, taking a length and three-quarter cushion into the lane. On Tour (Marcus Johansson), second at a big number a week ago, could not last in the pocket this time around. The bridesmaid honor went to Blastaway Sahbra (Stephane Bouchard), who outmuscled a first-up, returning Patio Pete (Jay Randall). “Pete,” assigned the eight hole (seven hole after an inside scratch), had a luckless voyage, chasing an easy leader in a no-chance night and settling for third. On Tour and Jetset Matt (Lou Paulucci) completed the cashers. For Approved Action, a seven-year-old son of Sir Taurus, it was his sixth victory (all here) in 22 seasonal starts. The winner, bred, owned and trained by John Grasso, paid $4.40. He led an $18.40 exacta and $48 triple while seeing his career earnings go over the $665,000 plateau. Friday’s $12,500 Filly and Mare Preferred Handicap Pace went to another 6-5 repeating, down the road fave in Tasma Walton A (Bouchard, $4.40). The seven-year-old Down Under daughter of Walton Hanover, owned by Keisers Oberman Stable and trained by Tim Case, prevailed by a half length in 1:56.2. The Raceway currently features live racing Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with evening first post at 7:40 p.m. Evening simulcasting (both harness and select thoroughbred) accompanies all live programs, while afternoon simulcasting continues around the NYRA schedule.