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

Yonkers, NY — Perhaps it borders on the politically incorrect by referring to Burning Point and Miss Galvinator A as “a couple of classy broads.”

But, hey, they are, and the dames dropped all decorum in Friday night’s (September 21) co-featured $30,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace at Yonkers Raceway.

Burning Point, she of the nearly $2.8 million in career coinage, wound up starting outside six rivals in her second purse try after a three-month hiatus.

With Cat Manzi doing the honors for owner Cuzzins Stable and trainer Nat Varty, Burning Point was caught three-deep at the outset. Inside number Duckie’s Delite (Greg Grismore) as well as 3-5 favorite (and last week’s winner) Miss Galvinator A (Stephane Bouchard) also left hard, with Burning Point having to negotiate a :27.2 opening quarter-mile to secure the sceptre.

A soft :29.4 second quarter helped Burning Point’s cause before Black Brinny (Tony Morgan) tried her fortunes first-over. However, that one could only prompt Burning Point through a :29 second third-quarter, and she owned a 1-1/4 length lead into the lane.

Miss Galvinator A had every chance up the pylons, but Burning Point was the classier of the classy broads, winning by a length in 1:54.3. Black Brinny was a credible third despite the lousy trip, while Don’t Blame Her (Dan Dube) and Sweet Celebration (Pat Lachance) also made money.

“She’s a good girl,” Manzi said. “Maybe not what she used to be, but she knows what she’s doing. I figured I’d have to use her (to get the lead), but we were able to get a nice breather and she did the rest.”

For Burning Point, a 7-year-old daughter of Camluck, it was her third win (all here) in 13 seasonal starts. Her 46th lifetime victory and 97th board finish in 135 career starts was worth $7.40 (second choice), leading a $14.60 exacta and $73.50 triple.

The evening’s co-featured 30-large Open Handicap Trot saw Astas HS (Eric Abbatiello) parlay an inside venue and fresh Lasix into a photo op.

Sitting behind Sunceraye (Jeff Gregory) through pokey fractions of :29.2, :59.3 and 1:29, Astra HS dipped into the passing lane, getting a jump on both the second-over Tasty Max (Morgan) and the third-up Winnin’ Image (Grismore). He was a half-length better than “Max” — the even-money favorite — in 1:58.4, while Winnin’ Image was third, beaten three-quarters of a length. Bright Idea (Bouchard) and Haste (Mike Forte) grabbed the loose change.

Astra HS, a 7-year-old Awesome Goal gelding trained by Abbatiello for owner Howard Schneidler, paid $12.80 for his third victory in 16 ’07 tries. The exacta paid $43.20, with the triple worth $152.50.

Friday night’s fare also included the $29,200 On The Road Again, a New York Bred Late Closer for 3-year-old pacing fillies. The get-togethers, worth $9,700, $9,800 and $9,700, respectively, went to:

• Zeeskite (by Riverboat King); co-owners Arthur and Lynn Matises/trainer Terry Finch/driver Gregory; (life-best) 1:56.1/$6.
• Newberry Winner (by Village Jove); co-owners Rocco Manzi and Paul Tandlmayer/trainer Lonny Hale/driver Bouchard; 1:56.1/$2.60.
• Precious Wonder (by Ameripan Gigolo); owner Libertino Arrigo/trainer John Berger/driver Bouchard; 1:58.1/$5.

Live racing is currently offered at Yonkers with six programs per week — Monday through Saturday nights at 7:40 p.m. Harness and thoroughbred simulcasting is available seven days a week, while Empire City’s nearly 5,500 video gaming machines are in play daily from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m.