by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers, NY — The first Friday foray of the new year at Yonkers Raceway features the usual pair of $15,000 Open Handicaps for trotters and distaff pacers. Post time for the 10 race extravaganza is 7:40 p.m., with the co-featured ‘Caps going as races seven (Filly and Mare Pace) and nine (Trot). Madison’s Tuition (Rick Farrington, post seven) was given the lousiest starting venue in the first marquee trot of the season. The now eight-year-old Keystone Fool gelding, owned and trained by David Martin, ended 2004 in fine form, with three wins and a second in his five tries. “Madison” was a blowout Open Handicap winner (at 25-1) in mid-December, the last of his nine ’04 victories. He begins this season with more than $291,000 in career cash. Tagapine (Jim Marshall III, post five) and R T J (Stephane Bouchard, post six) were 1-2 in a high conditioned event to close out ’04. The former, a five-year-old Tagliabue miss trained by Jean-Claude Jobidon, banked in excess of $49,000 a year ago, while the latter, a five-year-old Sierra Kosmos gelding trained by Sarita Mosher, comes off a career-best $64,363 season in ’04. Duke of Earl (Driver TBA, post four) was third in the final 2004 Open Handicap Trot. The classy eight-year-old Earl gelding, owned by Great Western Racing Stable and trained by Doug Rothlein, has earned more than $235,000 in his career. Toibin N (Greg Merton, post one), Gumcorner Vic (Mark Beckwith, post two) and Mysterious Caller (Mike Forte, post three) complete the roster. Toibin N ended ’04 by making money in his last half-dozen efforts. Sandra G (Mark Beckwith, post six), second in 2004’s final femme feature, was sent outside her five rivals in the season’s initial distaff derby. The five-year-old Yankee Cam miss, trained by Lance Hudson for co-owners Fred and Anita Fialkow, won this race in mid-December, lasting on the lead. She has two victories, a second and a third in five local work nights. Mariana’s Trench (Merton, post two) and Chip And Gale A (Jim Marohn, post five) were third and fifth, respectively, in the ’04 final ladies’ luncheon. The former, while just 1-for-30 a year ago, nonetheless put away more than $45,000. Dainty Matt Medeiros trains the nine-year-old San Andre ma’am for co-owners Robert Sumner and Joe Capone. The latter, an eight-year-old Down Under Caesar Blue Chip miss, socked away more than $81,000 last season. Robert DiCerto trains for owner Vincent Ali. Get Over Lil (Jay Randall, post three) invades for her first Westchester try since early November. The six-year-old daughter of Walton Hanover, co-owned by Larry Kovacs and Linda Condon and trained by Sonny Dancer, notched a seven win, $70,000 season in ’04. Tussy Mussy (Gregory, post one) ambitiously leaves the claiming ranks with six victories and a pair of seconds in her last eight tries, while House Flight (Bouchard, post four) makes her first local visit since Thanksgiving weekend (scratched sick from a mid-December scheduled start). Friday’s evening simulcast schedule includes the Meadows (post time 6:00), Northfield (7:00), Charles Town (7:15), Penn National (7:20), Pompano (7:20), Meadowlands (7:30) and Maywood (8:40). The Raceway is accepting nominations for the 2005 Hopeful Pacing Series for three-year-olds of both genders. Nominations close Saturday, January 15, with the series beginning January 28 (fillies) and 29 (colts and geldings). Nomination forms are available on-line (www.yonkersraceway.com). Complete conditions and information on the series (includes a $2,000 bonus awarded by Standardbred Owners Association of New York) are available by calling the race office at (914) 968-4200, ext. 285. January’s evening/harness simulcast schedule includes Charles Town Races, Freehold Raceway, Meadowlands, the Meadows, Monticello Raceway, Mountaineer Race Track, Northfield Park, Northville Downs, Penn National, Pompano Park, Rosecroft Raceway and Sam Houston Race Park. For more information, or to obtain a calendar, please contact the Raceway at (914) 968-4200.