by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers, NY — The final September Friday (24th) at Yonkers Raceway presented the usual pair of $15,000 Open Handicaps — for trotters and distaff pacers — both carded at the mile and one-sixteenth distance. Let us begin with the Open ‘Cap Trot, where a classy veteran took advantage of a fortuitous post position assignment and some soft fractions to grab the gusto. Approved Action and regular chauffeur Rejean Daigneault, in tandem sent postward as the 11-10 public choice, had nary an anxious moment in disposing of their seven rivals. The seven-year-old statebred son of Sir Taurus, leaving alertly from post five, found the front around another get-away artist, On Tour (Marcus Johansson), before a :284 opening quarter-mile. Once he secured the big chair, Approved Action rated a 1:001 half and 1:30 three-quarters, effectively suspending the suspense. He entered the lane two and a quarter lengths to the good over On Tour, then cruised home by a couple of lengths in 2:063 for the added distance. On Tour, at 23-1, was a solid second, while Blast Off (John Plutino) and the returning Blastaway Sahbra (Stephane Bouchard) wound up in a tie for third. Second choice Jetset Matt (Lou Paulucci), who bobbled early, settled for the final pay envelope. Meanwhile, two-time defending marquee trot champ T W Rambo (Mike Forte) could not overcome an assigned eight hole and finished sixth. Approved Action, bred, owned and trained by John Grasso, returned $4.30 for his fifth victory (all here) in 21 seasonal starts. His career earnings went past the $657,000 plateau while leading a $32 exacta and $108 (with Blast Off) and $101 (with Blastaway Sahbra) triples. Friday’s Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace found Get Over Lil (Jay Randall) eyeing a repeat rendezvous with the winner’s circle. “Lil” left hard from post seven, but so did the two temptresses directly to her inside. Chip And Gale A (Mike Sorentino, Jr.) and Caitlin Q (Johansson) each wanted to be the belle of the ball, leading to a brisk :273 opening quarter-mile. Get Over Lil eventually worked her way to the lead and tried to rate the half-mile (:572), but a gate-crasher was soon on the scene. Lady Matawai N (Jeff Gregory), assigned the outside starting location as the 3-5 fave among the fan club, had tucked early before beginning her barrage toward the leader. Taking out from sixth, Ms. Matawai easily went up and over “Lil” by the 1:27 three-quarters, opening to a two and a quarter length lead entering the stretch. Chip And Gale A shook loose to take up the chase, but Lady Matawai N was a safe winner, prevailing by a length and a half in 2:03 for the added distance. Emerald Green (Greg Merton), Asian Express (Mark Beckwith) and Caitlin Q also made money, while “Lil” tired to sixth. For the victress, a six-year-old Down Under daughter of Tuapeka Knight, it was her 11th win in 27 ’04 tries. Ross Croghan trained the winner for owner James Kouretas. Ms. Matawai paid $3.30, with the exacta returning $17 and the triple good for $90.50. The Raceway currently features live racing Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with evening first post at 7:40 p.m. Evening simulcasting (both harness and select thoroughbred) accompanies all live programs, while afternoon thoroughbred (and occasional harness) simulcasting continues around the NYRA schedule.