by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

YONKERS, NY – Whatever may have been ailing Burning Point apparently goes away once she crosses the George Washington Bridge.

Last season’s divisional champ as older pacing mare made her ’07 debut with a gutty win at Yonkers Raceway in early March. Since then, she’d gone 0-for-5 in both series and invitational competition.

The 7-year-old double-millionaire returned to a “good” Yonkers Friday night and promptly exuded her class in the co-featured, $35,000 Filly and Open Handicap Pace. With Greg Grismore driving for trainer Steve Elliott, Burning Point–the 13-10 favorite–was on the go early from post position No. 7.

The Camluck lass stepped over Sandra G (Pat Lachance) before a :28.2 opening quarter-mile, with pole-sitting Laura Lane N (Pat Berry) settling in third.

Burning Point found the intermission in 58 seconds before Monte Carlo Madam (Tim Tetrick) pulled from fourth. The two ladies dropped the gloves through a spirited :28.2 third quarter, with Burning Point clinging to a narrow lead turning for home,

Monte Carlo Madam would not go away, while Dance Hall (Vic Kirby) was entering the fray from well out of it.

However, Burning Point called on her $2.7 million resume and fought off all comers. She prevailed over Dance Hall by a stubborn neck, with Monte Carlo Madam–now board-certified in 12-of-13 ’07 tries–holding third, beaten three-parts of a length.

Laura Lane N and Sentbytheangels (Eric Goodell) completed the cashers.

Burning Point, now 2-for-7 this season for owner Cuzzin Stable, returned $4.60, leading a $51.50 exacta, a $168 triple and $4,822 superfecta.

Friday night’s co-featured Open ‘Cap Trot saw Sir Valahad celebrate the Stanley Cup playoffs by completing the hat trick for trainer/driver Lachance.

The 9-year-old Super Bowl gelding, who took last week off, found the big chair from post No. 6 before the :28.4 opening two furlongs. Western New York standout Imagianthit (Keith Kash Jr.) returned here and was content to sit second.

A rated (:59.1) half allowed even-money favorite Sir Valahad to catch his breath before KD Girl (Jeff Gregory) tried it first-over. The 1:29 three-quarters also played into the hooves of the leader, who caught a bit of a break when KD Girl did just that.

Sir Valahad needed ever bit of the soft fractions, holding off last week’s winner, Grain of Truth (Ray Schnittker), by a half-length in 1:58.3. Lemon Pepper (Berry), KD Girl and Kaline (Steve Smith) grabbed the minor dough.

Sir Valahad, co-owned by MJGB Racing Stable and Michael Neamonitakis, returned $4 for his fifth victory in 11 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $35, with the triple good for $156.

Live racing is currently offered at Yonkers with six programs per week–Monday through Saturday nights at 7:40 PM. The ’07 stakes season continues Saturday night, with two, $50,000 divisions (Round 5 of 6) of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series.