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

Yonkers, NY — Favored Cuz She Can (Jason Bartlett) kept a longshot at bay Friday night (Jan. 20), winning Yonkers Raceway’s co-featured $33,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

Jason Bartlett drove Cuz She Can to a 1:54.2 score.

Leaving from the pylons as the 9-5 choice, Cuz She Can was away second. She then went up and over early leader Kayla’s Dream (Cat Manzi) before a :27.4 opening quarter-mile. From there, a soft :30 second next interval (:57.4) give her ammo when milionairess Pancleefandarpels (Eric Goodell) launched her second move from an assigned eight hole.

However, that one couldn’t get serious and out of a 1:26 three-quarters Cuz She Can owned a 1-1/4 length lead into the lane. Kayla’s Dream, the 28-1 pocket-sitter, took aim, but Cuz She Can held sway. She won by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.2. Ocean’s Motion (Jordan Stratton), Pancleefandarpels and Best Boss (Patrick Lachance) completed the cashers.

Cuz She Can, a 7-year-daughter of Cambest owned by Fran Azur and trained by Kevin McDermott, paid $5.60 for her first win in a couple of seasonal starts. It was the lady’s 30th career victory and fourth consecutive local win. The exacta paid $75, with the triple returning $594.

Friday night’s co-featured $33,000 Open Handicap Trot saw Fool’s Revenue (Lachance) grind to glory.

Tom Berg photos

Fool’s Revenue was a narrow winner in a time of 1:56.4.

Leaving from post No. 5, he marched first-up from fifth, engaging Pembroke Prayer (Goodell) after that one put up intervals of :28.1, :57.4 and 1:26.4.

Fool’s Revenue collared the tiring leader early in the stretch, then held off Sun Of A Victory (Stratton) by a head in 1:56.4. Wuthering Hanover (Brent Holland) — outkicked from the pocket as the 17-10 choice — Pembroke Prayer and Celebrity Bluechip (Bartlett) rounded out the payees.

Fool’s Revenue, a 6-year-old Revenue S gelding trained by Brett Bittle for co-owners Robert (also a co-breeder), Douglas and James Allen, returned $7.10 (second choice) for a winning ’12 debut. The exacta paid $42.60, the triple returned $89.50 and the superfecta paid $443.50.