by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — It’s a good thing Jeff Gregory doesn’t drink and drive, because he left Yonkers Raceway on Tuesday night (December 14) with a six-pack under his arm.

Well, yes and no.

The “six-pack” in question consisted of wins, not wines, as Gregory dominated the 11 race program.

He won the evening’s pacing opener with Breezy Knoll Pat ($7.80), a two-year-old Arturo gelding who earned his maiden victory in his second career start. Tim Hayes trained “Pat,” who prevailed in 2:00.4 for owner Parks Breezy Knoll.

Gregory then swept the $28.20 early daily double with the trotting mare Sea Wall ($9.20) for owner-trainer William Adamczyk. It was the 12th win on the season for the seven-year-old Go Get Lost miss, who trotted the mile and one-sixteenth mile distance in 2:10.2.

Gregory made it three-for-three, taking the third race pace with McAlister Man A ($6.30). The veteran 11-year-old Down Under Low Man gelding lasted on the lead in 2:01 for owner Thomas Carpenito and trainer Ian Kaufman.

After sitting out the fourth race and settling for fourth in the fifth, Gregory was escorted to the winner’s circle once again in the sixth race. The pacing mare Sunny Serenade ($5.40) opened up through the lane in a flat 2:00 as the wagering favorite. Aldo Savaglio owns the seven-year-old Western Hanover ma’am, trained by Vernon James.

Gregory earned his fifth win on Tuesday night in the seventh race pace with the bombs-away Smoky Hanover ($65.50), who went up and over the 3-10 choice A Place To Kiss, leading home a parade of longshots. The four-year-old daughter of Western Hanover is trained by Anthony Bifolco for owner Rudy Roma.

Much to the dismay of his fan base, Gregory wound up fourth in the evening’s eighth race. However, the groupies were out in force once again in the ninth event as pacing filly Simply A Star ($10.40) edged off cover to win in 2:01. The three-year-old Electric Yankee lass is Massachusetts co-owned by Kenneth Clairmont and Lucia Anne Les and is trained by Mary Beauregard.

Gregory then sat out the 10th race before ending his night with a bridesmaid effort in the evening finale.

“I was fortunate to sit behind some live horses,” Gregory said. “You always need a bit of racing luck, but I like to think I earned that five percent (driver’s fee) this evening.”

To his credit, Gregory admitted he was not planning on auctioning off his services on e-Bay any time soon.

The 38-year-old Gregory now has 4,381 career wins and more than $31.4 million in purses. His 557 victories this season — including a personal single-card best of seven at Freehold — place him fifth in the North American driver dash standings.

Gregory is currently neck and neck with Stephane Bouchard for the Yonkers’ fall meet driving title. The meet ends with the final 2004 racing program on Tuesday, December 28.

Mysterious Caller looks for third straight

Mysterious Caller, who has upset the apple cart to the tune of 33-1 and 11-1, respectively, in the last two Open Handicap Trot events, looks to continue his own year-end festivities during Friday night’s $15,000 co-feature at Yonkers Raceway.

Post time for the 11 race card is 7:40 p.m., with the weekly featured trot going as the ninth race.

Mysterious Caller was given post position seven, with trainer Mike Forte again doing the honors for co-owners Brian Kleinberg and Mark Feder. For the season, Mysterious Caller has won eight of his 45 tries and has earned a career best $74,380.

The five-year-old Call Toll Free gelding has employed the same MO the past two weeks, sitting fourth entering the lane before pouncing on Blastaway Sahbra (Stephane Bouchard, post eight), who has been no worse than second in his last half-dozen efforts.

The six-year-old Striking Sahbra gelding is ending an incredibly consistent season, entering with 34 board finishes in 45 ’04 appearances ($191,383).

“Blastaway,” trained by Mark Ford for co-owners Dean Davis and Brenda Sugg, goes after his 18th win of the season.

Miss Gibbons (“Doc” Gill, post two), Madison’s Tuition (Driver TBA, post five) and True Story (Mark Beckwith, post four) finished 3-4-5, respectively, in last week’s trotting feature.

Sundance Kid G (Jim Meittinis, post one) and Roadshow Hall (Jeff Gregory, post three) round out the roster.

Friday night’s $15,000 co-featured Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace (seventh race) gets some new shooters, as two-time (not quite defending) champ Lady Matawai N is racing earlier in the day in central Jersey.

Alison Bay N (Marcus Johansson, post four), the bridesmaid in last week’s distaff derby, has been board-certified in her last five appearances (two wins, two seconds and one third). The eight-year-old Down Under In The Pocket miss, owned by Albra Stables and trained by Eldo Leonelli, has a dozen ’04 wins and more than $70,000 to her credit.

House Flight (Bouchard, post eight) returns for her first local visit since Thanksgiving weekend in search of a 10th seasonal victory. The five-year-old daughter of Artsplace has made money in her last five work days/nights.

Flip N Fast N (Ron Cushing, post six) handled a Massachusetts ma’am feature in her latest effort 19 days ago, while Sandra G (Beckwith, post five) has been third and fifth in her two Open ‘Cap efforts.

Delightful (Driver TBA, post three) tries tougher after upsets at 10-1 and 14-1, while Dynasty G F (Driver TBA, post one) leaves the claiming ranks after a handy win.

Bare Hug HR (Driver TBA, post two) and Mariana’s Trench (Greg Merton, post seven) complete the co-featured line-up.

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

Beginning next week (Monday, December 20), Yonkers is to race Monday and Tuesday ONLY for the subsequent two weeks. That’s December 20, 21, 27 and 28, the final live program of 2004.

There is no live racing (or evening simulcasting) scheduled Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. As always, afternoon simulcasting continues around the NYRA schedule.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all our employees, horsemen and fans a happy and healthy holiday season and a prosperous new year,” general manager Bob Galterio said. “We are deeply grateful for their continued support of Yonkers Raceway.”

Yonkers’ 2005 schedule is to be announced the near future.

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

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