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

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway’s Friday night (Oct. 3) $44,000 co-featured Open Handicaps — one for distaff pacers and one for trotters — were won by a pocketed Coffee Addict (Daniel Dube, $20.80) and a cone-skimming Obrigado (Eric Carlson, $10.40).

Mike Lizzi photo

Coffee Addict was a 1:53.1 winner on Friday.

Pole assignee Rock N Loud (Larry Stalbaum) gave her backers an early thrill, leading through a :26.4 opening quarter-mile and a :55.2 intermission. Coffee Addict was behind that one from post position No. 2, Simple Saver N (Eric Goodell), who aborted a quarter-move, tried it again, out from third toward the leader at a 1:23.4 three-quarters. Monkey On My Wheel (Carlson), who had left into a four hole, chased that one.

Rock N Loud was about to wear out her welcome early in the lane, as the other lasses crowded around her. Set Me Up (George Brennan) set it up from third-over, but it was ground-saving Coffee Addict who got the decision in 1:53.1. The latter whipped the former by three-quarters of a length. Monkey On My Wheel flattened to third, with last week’s victress, Venus Delight (Jason Bartlett) and tepid 5-2 favorite Campanile (Tyler Buter) completing the cashers.

For sixth choice Coffee Addict, a 4-year-old daughter of Dragon Again trained by Bruce Saunders for co-owners James Clarke Sr. and Andrew Altobelli, it was her sixth win in 25 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $319, with the triple returning $2,023.

The week’s marquee trot Fort Valley AS (Bartlett) loop a couple into the first turn, then give it up to Home Turf (Brennan). That invader, set away as the 6-5 favorite, made the lead right at a :28 first sub-station. It was a :57.4 half before Somebody AS (Dube) was in a hurry, moving from fourth. He and Home Turf dropped the gloves in and out a 1:26 three-quarters, with Fort Valley AS backing away in the pocket.

The two leaders were in a virtual dead-heat in and out of the final turn before Obrigado — seventh early from post No. 6 — made up good ground. He found his way deep in the lane and disposed of a stubborn Somebody AS by a half-length in 1:55. Home Turf, Bentley Karan (Goodell) and Fort Valley AS settled for the remainder.

For second choice Obrigado, a 4-year-old Boy Band gelding co-owned by trainer Paul Kelley, William Weaver III, Linwood Higgins and Stable 45, he’s now 8-for-19 this season (29-for-42 lifetime). The exacta paid $55.50, the triple returned $259 and the superfecta paid $1,029.

Please note that since no one hit Friday’s Pick-5 wager, Saturday’s version begins with a carryover of $3,429.04 (50 cent base wager, races five through nine).