by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Friday’s (March 19) final night of winter at Yonkers Raceway found quality far outdistancing quantity.

The nine race program featured the usual pair of $12,000 Open Handicaps –for trotters and distaff pacers — along with five $8,000 divisions in the third leg of the Petticoat Pacing Series.

The week’s featured trot went to 7-5 favorite Blastaway Sahbra (Stephane Bouchard), who was shamelessly towed into the race by last week’s winner, Patio Pete (Jeff Gregory). The pair went after the pace-setting Madison’s Tuition (Rick Farrington), who led the way through fractions of :28⁴, :59⁴ and 1:29².

“Madison” still maintained a two length lead entering the lane, only to be collared by both closers. Patio Pete grabbed a short-lived lead, only to see Blastaway Sahbra edge on by for a half length victory in 2:00¹. Patio Pete was a good second, while Madison’s Tuition was third, beaten a length and a quarter. Kash Hombre (Mike Forte) and Saint Blaze (Greg Merton) completed the cashers.

“Blastaway” ($4.80) justified an assigned outside post position in the seven horse field for his fourth victory (and 10th board finish) in a dozen seasonal starts. The six-year-old Striking Sahbra gelding, now with career earnings in excess of $480,000, is trained by Mark Ford for co-owners Dean Davis and Brenda Sugg.

The exacta paid $14.80, while the triple was worth $46.80.

Friday’s Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace saw Lady Matawai N (Gregory) employ the same second-up tactic that served Blastaway Sahbra well a race earlier.

Ms. Matawai was in behind last week’s winner, Casino Miss (Bouchard) as both went after the odds-on choice, Nuclear Finale (Merton).

Nuclear Finale, sent off at 9-10, led the lasses past quarters of :27⁴, :58² and 1:27⁴, taking a tenuous advantage into the lane. She fought off the uncovered Casino Miss, but Lady Matawai N outgamed the leader to win by three-parts of a length in 1:56³. Invading Fair Alaska N (Jim Marshall III) and Mariana’s Trench (Robert Sumner) also made money.

For Lady Matawai N, a six-year-old Down Under daughter of Tupeka Knight, it was her fifth win in nine ’04 tries. James Kouretas owns Ms. Matawai, who is trained by Ross Croghan. She returned $5.80 as the second choice, leading an $18.40 exacta, $40.80 triple and $364.50 superfecta.

Vivacious Raider ($2.10) became the only lass to complete a three race Petticoat prelim sweep, taking it to the house in a comfy 1:59³.

Bouchard drove the four-year-old daughter of Keystone Raider for co-owners War Dare Ltd., Kirk, Glass & Curtis and trainer Scott Donaldson. Vivacious Raider has won five of her eight seasonal starts.

Friday’s other Petticoat victresses were:

K J Six, 4 (by Electric Yankee); owner/trainer Mike Galante/driver Frank Galante; 1:59²/$21

Emerald Queen, 4 (by Falcon’s Future); owner Alvin Jacobson/trainer Tim Case/driver Merton; 1:59⁴/$2.80

Student Driver, 4 (by Jate Lobell); co-owners Robinson, Robinson & Mondillo/trainer Bruce Saunders/driver Jeff Gregory; 1:59/$7.80

Ex Libris Hanover, 4 (by Life Sign); owner Joel Wheeler/trainer Karen Garland/driver Steve Smith; 2:00/$9.00

The $39,000 final of the Petticoat Pacing Series goes next Friday night (March 26).

Please note Yonkers Raceway’s amended live harness schedule is now offering a five night per week live schedule. First post every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday is 7:40 p.m., with free admission offered on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, while afternoon simulcasting continues around the NYRA schedule.