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

Yonkers, NY — A rare baker’s dozen went in and out of the oven on Saturday night (Feb. 2) at Yonkers Raceway, with the usual assortment of $30,000 tri-features leading the lineup.

Tell Me A Story (Pat Berry) protected the pocket from the pole in the Open Handicap Trot, scooting by pace-setting Grain Of Truth (Ray Schnittker) to win going away.

The latter, leaving from post position four (in one notch with the scratch-sick of The Federalist), led through fractions of :28.1, :59 and 1:28.2, taking a tenuous lead into the lane.

Lone lass Spur-Ann-E (Pat Lachance) launched a long, first-over bid before tiring in and out of the fnal turn. Tell Me A Story, carried where he needed to go, widened to win by 3-1/2 lengths in 1:58.3. Grain Of Truth held second, with 8-5 favorite Winnin’ Image (Greg Grismore), B J’s Rocky Vacation (Alain Robillard) and Get Packin’ (Jim Pantaleano) rounding out the cashers.

For Tell Me A Story, a 6-year-old Keystone Nordic gelding owned by Ian Fromowitz and trained by Robert Greenwood, it was his first win in four seasonal starts. He paid $5.70 (second choice) as his career earnings crept closer to $200,000, leading a $17.20 exacta and $55 triple.

Benear (Jeff Gregory), in her second start after five months of R&R, went the distance in the Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Leaving from post four, she stepped around longshot Drinking Games (Jordan Stratton), then stepped through fractions of :28, :57.1 and 1:25.2. The 3-1/2 length lead off the final turn was three lengths at the wire, which she found in 1:54. Ulrica Bromac N (Grismore) rallied for second in her local pari-mutuel debut, with Peine Bubbles (Pantaleano) closing from last to snatch third. Western Graduate (Eric Abbatiello) and Drinking Games left with minor morsels.

For Benear, a 5-year-old Badlands Hanover miss, she paid $4.70 as the 13-10 choice. Carl Cito, Jr. trained for co-owners David Scharf and Jerry Silva. The exacta returned $19.20, with the triple paying $153.

The Open Handicap Pace saw King Cat Anvil N (Stratton) stack widest of all turnig for home, got the better of Mr P B N (Abbatiello), then hold off the other closers.

Hop Sing (Stephane Bouchard), as the 9-5 people’s choice from post four, rolled through early intervals of :27.4 and :56.2. He was dueled into submission before the 1:24.1 three-quarters by Mr P B N, who tried to run away and hide.

However, he couldn’t close the issue. George At Bigs (Pantaleano) and King Cat Anvil N took up the chase outside, while Cam’s Fool (Gregory) awaited room. “Cat” — who started from post six — won the battle of closers, whipping Cam’s Fool by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.1. George At Bigs, Hop Sing and Mr P B N also earned pay envelopes.

For King Cat Anvil N, a 6-year-old Down Under Christian Cullen gelding, it was his first win in four ’08 tries. David Stratton trained the winner for owner John Kiwczak. He paid $14.80 (co-fourth choice), with the exacta worth $119 and the triple good for $538.

Saturday’s card also included the opening round of the Hopeful Pacing Series for 3-year-old colts and geldings. The quartet of $10,000 events went to:

• Papa Hemingway (by Real Artist); co-owners Gary Cook and Brian Brown/trainer Mickey Burke/driver Grismore; (life-best)1:55.4/$2.30
• Thunder Cruise (by Yankee Cruiser); owner Sharon Fisher/trainer Steve Carter/driver Russell Swartz; 1.57.2/$4.20
• P H Bestman (by Cambest); owner Dr. R. James Shive/trainer Art Green/driver Travis Bowman; (life-best) 1:57.4/$4.70 (career 7-for-7)
• Harness My Fury, g (by Cole Muffler); co-owners John Hinrichs and James Sronce/trainer Nick Giberson/driver Grismore; 1:56.4/$2.80.

Yonkers offers a four night per week live harness schedule through February, with first post every Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday at 7:40 p.m. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting around the NYRA schedule.