by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Dink Adoo and Lady Matawai N, victor and victress, respectively, in last Friday’s Open Handicaps, are back at it again this Friday night at Yonkers Raceway.

Post time for the 11 race card is 7:40 p.m., with the pair of $15,000 co-features going as races seven (Trot) and nine (Filly and Mare Pace).

Dink Adoo was assigned post position number five in the weekly featured trot, with Jim Marshall III again driving for owner Panhellenic Stable Corp. and trainer Dennis Laterza. The five-year-old Inquirer gelding was out every step a week ago, yet was able to prevail by a half length. Dink Adoo has won two of his last three tries — both Open ‘Caps — and went over the $160,000 career earnings figure with last week’s victory.

Blastaway Sahbra (Stephane Bouchard, post seven) won this event two weeks ago before finishing second to The Dink last Friday. The six-year-old Striking Sahbra gelding, trained by Mark Ford, has hit the board in seven of his last eight tries (one win, four seconds, two thirds).

On Tour (Mark Beckwith, post four) tired to fourth in last week’s trotting feature after easily disposing of the mid-conditioned crowd two starts ago. The four-year-old son of Yankee Glide, sent out by Team Schnittker (trainer Paul Doherty), was second in last year’s Yonkers Trot.

Madison’s Tuition (Rick Farrington, post two) faded badly a week ago, ending a string of eight consecutive paydays dating to last November.

Total Mayhem (Jeff Gregory, post three) closed from last to grab third in last week’s feature and has been in the money in five of his last half-dozen efforts.

Cumin Go (Rejean Daigneault, post one) and Danzig (Driver TBA, post five) complete the roster.

The week’s distaff derby finds Lady Matawai N (Gregory) ordered to start outside of her six rivals. The six-year-old Down Under daughter of Tupeka Knight, owned by James Kouretas and trained by Ross Croghan, owned the lead before the quarter a week ago and never had an anxious moment. Ms. Matawai, fresh from a career best 14 win, $138,000 ’03 season, has won two of her last three local tries.

Casino Miss (Bouchard, post six) is another horse for the course. The four-year-old Cam’s Card Shark miss, trained by Ford, dominated in both of her Westchester work nights in the latter part of last season and can exceed the $200,000 career cash plateau with a victory Friday.

Sweet On Art (Beckwith, post four) upset this event at 20-1 two starts ago before chasing home Lady Matawai N from the pocket last Friday. The four-year-old daughter of Artsplace, trained by Doherty, has three wins in her last seven tries.

Royal Gala (Greg Merton, post three) closed for third last week in her first pari-mutuel try since mid-September, while Get Over Lil (Farrington, post five) makes her second ’04 start after a breakout (10 wins, $104,000) ’03 season.

Rosy Deal N (Driver TBA, post one) and Mariana’s Trench (Jim Marohn, post two) round out the ladies’ lineup.

Friday’s evening simulcast schedule includes the Meadows (post time 6:40) Northfield (7:00), Pompano (7:00), Saratoga (7:00), Penn National (7:20), Meadowlands (7:30) and Maywood (8:40).

The Raceway’s Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday night schedule remains in effect for the first two months of the new year. First post remains at the usual 7:40 p.m.

Please note that the Raceway is not open Thursday evening for simulcasting as originally scheduled. Afternoon simulcasting continues to be offered around the NYRA schedule.

January’s evening harness simulcast schedule includes Balmoral Park, Freehold Raceway, Lebanon Raceway, Maywood Park, Meadowlands, the Meadows, Monticello Raceway, Northfield Park, Northville Downs, Penn National, Pompano Park, Rosecroft Raceway and Saratoga Raceway.

For more information, or to obtain a calendar, please contact the Raceway at (914) 968-4200.