by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — The $42,200 final of the Yonkers Raceway/Standardbred Owners Association of New York Bonus Trot Series goes Friday night at Yonkers Raceway.

Post time for the nine race card is 7:40 p.m., with the series finale going as the eighth race. In addition to the purse, a potential $10,000 bonus awaits the winning owner(s).

Blast Off (John Plutino, post two) won his first three Bonus Trot preps before being outgamed on the money a week ago. The four-year-old Malabar Man gelding, trained by John Schmigel for Klis Brothers Stable, enters the final with seven wins in 15 seasonal starts, while his $30,019 ’04 bankroll is the highest among the octet.

Speedy Rattle (Anne Wheeler, post four), who held off Blast Off this past Saturday night in the final prep event, offers the most intriguing storyline in the final. The homebred/statebred seven-year-old son of Speedy Big Boy, also co-owned (with Bob Keller) and trained by Ms. Wheeler, was unraced until late last year due to physical problems. He’s certainly made up for lost time, with a dozen wins in 21 career tries, including 9 for 12 this season. After losing all chance in Round 1 with an early bobble (finishing third), Speedy Rattle won his final trio of Bonus Trot events and enters Friday with nine wins in his last 10 efforts.

Whip A Way (Stephane Bouchard, post four), like Blast Off, won her first three series preps. However, the four-year-old daughter of Striking Sahbra (the lone lass in this lineup) could not stay with Speedy Rattle and Blast Off last week. She eventually made a break and finished fifth placed sixth. Mark Ford trains for Whip Or Wheel Stable, while Bouchard entered this past Tuesday night’s festivities needing 17 victories to reach 4,000 for his career.

Donnegal (Jeff Gregory, post six) won his first two series starts before checking in with second and third place finishes. The four-year-old son of Sierra Kosmos, owned by Bill Mulligan and trained by Bill Popfinger, has been no worse then second in eight career local starts (five wins, three seconds) dating to last season’s Holiday Series (second in the $40,000 final).

Billy Wood N (Driver TBA, post seven) had been thrice a bridesmaid in his series tries before getting his picture taken a week ago. The nine-year-old Down Under Gee Whiz gelding, owned by Pancho Villa’s Stable and Durazzano Stable Associates and trained by Ian Kaufman, has three wins and four seconds in 14 seasonal starts.

Dagger Hanover (Jim Marshall III, post three) secured his invite to the final with wins in his last two trials. The four-year-old Sierra Kosmos gelding, co-owned (and trained) by Eldo Leonelli along with Richard Clauberg, has hit the board in six of his seven starts since requalifying.

Diamond Trot A (Alessandro Spano, post one) put together a win and three thirds in series competition, while Mac Machine (Mark Beckwith, post eight) notched a pair of prep wins for the privilege of drawing lousy with the big coin up for grabs. The former is trained by Larry Campagna, while the latter is trained by Armand Bernard.

Friday’s card also includes a trio of Bonus Trot consolations, worth $12,000 (sixth race), $7,000 (second race) and $7,000 (third race), respectively.

Friday’s $13,500 Open Handicap Trot (seventh race) finds Total Mayhem (Gregory, post six) ordered to the outside starting location. The five-year-old Promising Catch gelding, trained by Sarita Mosher, returns after a pair of East Rutherford qualifiers for his first purse start since winning an Open Handicap here in late January.

CR Pants On Fire (Beckwith, post four) makes his first Westchester appearance (he was a judges’ scratch a week ago) since finishing second (to Banker Hall) in the 2001 final of the Yonkers Trot. The six-year-old Royal Troubador gelding has been taking on the best Northfield has to offer, with three wins in 11 seasonal efforts.

Madison’s Tuition (Jim Marohn, post three) hits towm again after a tour of Pennsylvania, while Classic Jerry (Driver TBA, post two) and Mysterious Caller (Mike Forte, post one) were 1-2 in a high-conditioned/optional claimer a week ago.

Writteninthestars (Bouchard, post five) won his only local try earlier this month.

Friday’s evening simulcast schedule includes Vernon (post time 6:30), Northfield (7:00), Pompano (7:00), Saratoga (7:00), Penn National (7:20), Meadowlands (7:30) and Maywood (8:40).

The Raceway’s Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday schedule remains in effect. First post remains at the usual 7:40 p.m.

In a rare exception, please note there is no live racing next Friday (May 7), though evening simulcasting is available.

Afternoon simulcasting continues to be offered around the NYRA schedule.

April/May’s evening/harness simulcast schedule includes Balmoral Park, Buffalo Raceway, Freehold Raceway, Hazel Park, Harrington Raceway, Hoosier Park, Maywood Park, Meadowlands, the Meadows, Monticello Raceway, Mountaineer Race Track, Northfield Park, Penn National, Pocono Downs, Pompano Park, Raceway Park, Saratoga Raceway, Scioto Downs and Vernon Downs.

For more information, or to obtain a calendar, please contact the Raceway at (914) 968-4200.