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

Yonkers, NY — A pair of “old” features and the start of a new series greeted the rained-upon rank and file on Friday night (March 7) at Yonkers Raceway.

The co-featured $30,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace found Omen Hanover (Eric Abbatiello) making the lead from post position three and spashing through sub-stations of :28.3, :58.1 and 1:26.2. J K Pure Pearl (Jason Bartlett), beginning right outside Omen Hanover, settled in second.

After putting away a first-up, 13-10 favorite in Peine Bubbles (Jim Pantaleano), Omen Hanover appeared to be a wet winner, taking a 1-1/2 length lead into the lane.

However, hers was not a good “Omen” this night, as J K Pure Pearl, nudged along to stay within shouting distance from the pocket, found her second wind. She went on by a tiring leader up the cones, prevailing by 1-1/4 lengths in a season’s-best 1:55.4. Peine Bubbles, Northwestern (Greg Grismore) and Sherri On Ice (Pat Lachance) completed the cashers.

The winner, a 4-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight, returned $27.60 (fifth choice) for her third victory in four seasonal starts. Linda Toscano trained for co-owners William Jacobowitz, 3 Brothers and Camelot Stables. The exacta paid $114.50, with the triple paying $264.50.

In the weekly featured trot, Kaline — with the help of a pair of inside defections — went the distance.

With Steve Smith doing the honors for owner/trainer Jim Petruccelli, Kaline was alert from post five. He stepped around the pole-sitting, 6-5 favorite Beach Nut Brand (Grismore) and put up moist markers of :29.4, :59.1 and 1:29.

Second-choice Euro Hanover (Jim Meittinis) attempted to grab the lead past the quarter, but jumped it off.

Kaline went from tenuous to tenacious in the lane, making a short lead stand up. He was three-quarters of a length better than Beach Nut Brand in 1:58.3, with Hez Striking (Jeff Gregory) another length behind in third. Pride (Bartlett) and Punk Man (Mike Forte) grabbed the small change.

For Kaline, a 9-year-old Malabar Man gelding whose career cash now exceeds $400,000, he paid $12.20 (third choice) for his second win in six ’08 tries. The exacta paid $34.80, with the triple returning $138.50.

Friday’s card also included the opening round of the Petticoat Pacing Series for 3- and 4-year-old ladies. The happy half-dozen events, each worth $12,500, went to:

• Paintthecrownred, 4 (by Real Artist); owner Congliose Racing/trainer Mark Harder/driver Gregory; 1:59.3/$3.30
• Premier Elecktrah, 4 (by Million Dollar Cam); owner Mack Racing/trainer Julie Miller/driver Bartlett; 1:59.2/$3.70
• Role Reversal, 4 (by Matt’s Scooter); co-owners Not So Stable of NY and Two Ninjas Stable/trainer Ron Coyne, Jr./driver Gregory; 1:59/$4.10
• J D’s Lady Lynn, 4 (by Full Of Fun); owner-trainer Glen Weaver/driver Pat Berry; 1:57.3/$7.40
• J K Memories, 4 (by Western Ideal); owner M D K Racing/trainer Joe DeCarlo/driver Josh Marks; 1:59.3/$5.60
• Lady Sometimes, 4 (by Armbro Mackintosh); owner Stanley Miller/trainer Jeremy Howard/driver Berry; 2:00.1/$8.50

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

The opening round of the Sagamore Hill Pacing Series, for 3- and 4-year-old pacing colts and geldings, goes as eight, $12,500 divisions on Saturday night, March 8.