by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Friday night (May 23) was indeed Ladies Night at Yonkers Raceway, with winning women everywhere you turned.

Western Graduate won the co-featured $30,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace, track record holder Victor’s Vicky beat the boys in the co-featured $30,000 Open Handicap Trot and Betsy Phillips (with Daylon Traveller) was up on the money in the Mildred Williams International Driving Series.

Western Graduate (Eric Abbatiello), assigned penultimate post position six as the 6-5 favorite, went wide from second-over in the week’s distaff derby. She disposed of pace-setting Don’t Blame Her (Greg Grismore, two wins shy of 5,000), opened three lengths turning for home, then held that margin to the (1:54.1) wire. Benear (Jeff Gregory) chased the winner, with Brickyard Trouble (Ray Baynes), Miss Galvinator A (Jim Marohn) and Whambam N (Jack Baggitt, Jr.) completing the cashers.

Western Graduate, a 4-year-old daughter of Western Hanover trained by Abbatiello for owner Howard Schneidler, returned $4.50 for her fifth win in 15 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $20 (two favorites), with the triple good for $94.50.

Victor’s Vicky (Jordan Stratton), sent postward as the wagering choice for the fourth consecutive start, edged by pace-setting Light Headed (Jason Bartlett) late. The 5-year-old daughter of Valley Victor, who left from post five and seemed to be racing in place from second-over, prevailed by a neck in 1:58. Nahcotta Jude (Jim Marohn), last week’s upset winner Armrbo Barrister (Ray Schnittker) and Enjoy The Victory (Baggitt Jr.) also made money.

“Vicky,” trained by Richard Johnson for Famous Farms LLC, returned $7.10 for her fourth victory in nine ’08 tries. She led a $37.40 exacta and $171.50 triple.

Mike Lizzi photo

Daylon Traveller (#7) and driver Betsy Phillips were the winners in the Mildred Williams Series race.

Daylon Traveller and driver Phillips won the Mildred Williams International Driving Series event, a $4,000 claiming pace. The 7-year-old negotiated his mile in 2:00.2, up by a nose and returnung $17. Trick Pony (Stacy Chiodo) finished second after having a late lead, while Fox Valley Thorn (Valerie Warnick) was third.

The Williams event featured only lady drivers, all of whom donated their driving fees to charities related to breast cancer research. The series, making its second visit to Yonkers in as many seasons, travels throughout North America raising money to fight, and increase awareness about, the disease. In 2007, more than $92,000 was raised through drivers’ fees, host track and owner contributions. The Raceway made a $2,500 donation to the Kelly Rooney Foundation.

“It’s a big honor for me to win a race for such a worthy cause,” Phillips said. “Everyone knows someone who’s been touched by this disease, and all of us are more than happy to do whatever we can.”

Ms. Philiips, a successful trainer/driver based at Monticello Raceway, has driven more than 500 winners in her career.

Other ladies participating were Linda MacDonald, Ann-Karin Larson, Anne Schlichtig, Kelly Case — who won this race in 2007 — and Linda Toscano. Ms.Toscano, subject of a local column Friday, was victimized by a poor post position and was never a factor in the race.

Mildred Williams, namesake for the series and a matriarch of Canadian harness racing, passed away earlier this week at age 91.

Yonkers offers a five-night-per-week live harness schedule, with first post every Monday (including Memorial Day), Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:40 p.m. Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon simulcasting available around the NYRA schedule.