by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — It was Ohio Night in New York at the wire of Saturday night’s (Jan. 27) $25,000 Open Handicap Pace at Yonkers Raceway.

The winner was Buckeye named, and, though considered Pennsylvania sired, was foaled in Ohio. The driver was Buckeye born, making his name right there. The trainer has been an Ohio fixture – among other venues – for years.

Fly Fly Buckeye was granted Westchester airspace for the first time (second career half-mile appearance) and took full advantage. With Greg Grismore driving for trainer Mickey Burke, the 5-year-old son of Shady Character rallied from next-to-last among the octet to win the big prize going away.

Assigned penultimate post position seven, Fly Fly Buckeye was unmoved early as Western Prince (Ted Wing) stepped up and over pole-squatter George At Bigs (Tom Jackson) before a :27.2 opening quarter-mile.

After a :57.1 half, Coal Black Beauty (Pat Berry), another pacer with Ohio coursing through his veins, tried his fortunes first-over. He prompted through a :29 third quarter, where the winner was ready to roll.

Fly Fly Buckeye, racing fourth-over, stacked widest of all off the final turn and just exploded. He easily went on by Western Prince, charging down the center of the surface to win by 3-1/2 widening lengths in 1:54.3. George At Bigs slipped inside for second, with Pacific Playbot (Jim Taggart, Jr.) grabbing third from second-over. Western Prince and John Adams (Eric Goodell) earned some consolation cash.

Fly Fly Buckeye, owned by Edmarc Stables, has won his last two races and three of his four seasonal starts. He returned $8.20 as the second choice while eclipsing the $200,000 career earnings plateau. The exacta paid $87.50, with the triple good for $664.

One race earlier, Burke and Berry combined to get 52-1 bomb Mizuno home at a $106 mutuel.

Live racing is currently offered at Yonkers with six programs per week — Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 7:40 p.m., along with a Tuesday matinee at 1:00 p.m. Harness and thoroughbred simulcasting is available seven days a week, while Empire City’s nearly 4,200 video gaming machines are in play daily from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m.