by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Rights Tulip and Tequila Spur were sent to their respective outside post positions for Friday night’s pair of $15,000 Open Handicaps at Yonkers Raceway.

Post time for the 11 race card is 7:40 p.m., with the co-features going as races eight (Filly and Mare Pace) and nine (Trot).

Rights Tulip (Stephane Bouchard, post eight) has hit the board in all four of her seasonal sojourns, but is still in search of her first trip to the winner’s circle. The five-year-old daughter of Cold Warrior, trained by Mark Ford, enters with a second and a trio of thirds. She returns from a third place finish across the river eight nights ago and has been in the money in five of her six local efforts.

Princess Anna (Rick Farrington, post seven) was a solid, first-up winner versus the Preferred crowd a week ago, her initial ’04 victory. The eight-year-old Presidential Bal miss, owned and trained by Jim Postorino, has made money in three of her last four Open ‘Cap tries.

Sweet On Art (Ray Schnittker, post six) faded to sixth a week ago after a win and a second in her first two distaff derby starts. The four-year-old Artsplace lass has hit the board in four of her last half-dozen efforts.

Angela Gold N (Jim Marshall III, post two) chased home Princess Anna a week ago and has been twice a bridesmaid in four ’04 efforts, while Smooth Force N (Greg Annaloro, post five) makes her local pari-mutuel debut, having won three of her last four out of town.

Magical Leah (Jim Meittinis, post three) goes up the ladder in search of a sixth consecutive in the money effort. The five-year-old daughter of Magical Mike is any payday away from exceeding the $250,000 career earnings figure.

Becca Lee (Greg Merton, post one) and Mariana’s Trench (Robert Sumner, post four) complete the coterie.

The week’s marquee trot finds Tequila Spur (Tyler Stillings, post six) returning for his first ’04 Westchester effort. The four-year-old son of Muscles Yankee, also trained by Ford, had a win and a second in two local tries at the end of last season. He won a leg of the Super Bowl Series across the river before finishing fourth in last week’s final.

Kash Hombre (Mike Sorentino, Jr., post three) earned a return trip to the Open Handicap after slapping around the Preferred Handicap crowd a week ago. The five-year-old statebred son of El Paso Kash, trained by Mike Forte, has made money in his last 13 work nights dating to early October.

Total Mayhem (Jeff Gregory, post five), second in last week’s featured trot, has hit the board in three of his four ’04 tries. On Tour (Schnittker, post two) finished behind Total Mayhem a week ago and, like Magical Leah, is on the precipice of the quarter-million dollar earnings figure.

Madison’s Tuition (Farrington, post one) and Danzig (Bouchard, post four) round out the roster.

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

The Raceway’s Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday night schedule remains in effect for the first two months of the new year. First post remains at the usual 7:40 p.m.

Please note that the Raceway is not open Thursday evening for simulcasting as originally scheduled. Afternoon simulcasting continues to be offered around the NYRA schedule.

January/February’s evening harness simulcast schedule includes Balmoral Park, Buffalo Raceway, Freehold Raceway, Maywood Park, Meadowlands, the Meadows, Monticello Raceway, Mountaineer Race Track, Northfield Park, Northville Downs, Penn National, Pompano Park, Rosecroft Raceway and Saratoga Raceway.

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