by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers, NY — Sandra G, who has won half of her eight starts since hitting town, looks to defend her Open Handicap title on Friday night at Yonkers Raceway. Post time for the dozen-race dossier is 7:40 p.m., with the pair of $15,000 co-featured ‘Caps carded as races six (Filly and Mare Pace) and 10 (Trot). Sandra G was sent outside of her five rivals, with Mark Beckwith doing the honors for co-owners Fred and Anita Fialkow and trainer Lance Hudson. “Sandra,” a five-year-old daughter of Yankee Cam, went the distance in last week’s distaff derby. It was her second (Open Handicap) win in three seasonal starts. She enters with career cash in excess of $186,000. Weeping Wannabe (Stephane Bouchard, post five), who lasted on the lead in this race two weeks ago, could not sustain an off the pace bid last week, beating no one in the field of seven. The six-year-old Artsplace miss, trained by Mark Ford for co-owners Ed Mullinax and Frank Dettore, put together a nine win, $88,000 season in 2004. Get Over Lil (Jay Randall, post four) closed for second in last week’s femme feature, her first board finish of the season. Sonny Dancer trains the six-year-old Walton Hanover ma’am for co-owners Linda Condon and Larry Kovacs. Reach For Eternity (Greg Merton, post three), a pocket third a week ago as the tepid favorite, whipped lesser lasses for her lone ’04 victory. Southwind Sundew (Mike Forte, post one) and Ex Libris Hanover (Steve Smith, post two) complete the coterie. Friday night’s co-featured Open Handicap Trot finds Amesbury (Smith, post six) leaving from the outer-most venue. The four-year-old son of S J’s Photo put in a solid local debut a week ago, coming first-up and getting the lead turning for home. Unfortunately, he had (AWOL this week) Blastaway Sahbra on his back, and that one went by to win. Amesbury was the bridesmaid, his second in the money effort in a trio of ’05 tries. Karen Garland trains the $100,000 performer of a year ago for co-owners Elmo Mazzoni, Jr., Richard Di Cenzo, Jamie Bauslaugh and Night Roque Racing. Madison’s Tuition (Rick Farrington, post five) led to the lane in last week’s Open Handicap, only to fade to fifth. The eight-year-old Keystone Fool gelding, owned and trained by David Martin, has made money in all but one of his last eight efforts. Tobin N (Greg Merton, post four) returns to the leading group after wiring the Preferred Handicap crowd a week ago. The 10-year-old Down Under Straphanger gelding, trained by Mary Bynon for co-owners Brian Nixon and Aubrey Friedman, upset the Open Handicap in his seasonal debut. On Tour (Marcus Johansson, post one), Speed Of Shogun (Jim Meittinis, post two) and Mysterious Caller (Mike Forte, post three) round out the lineup. Friday’s card also includes the opening round of the Hopeful Pacing Series for three-year-old fillies. Three $7,500 divisions go as races seven, eight and nine. Friday’s evening simulcast schedule includes the Meadows (post time 6:00), Northfield (7:00), Charles Town (7:15), Penn National (7:20), Pompano (7:20), Rosecroft (7:20) and Meadowlands (7:30). January’s evening/harness simulcast schedule includes Charles Town Races, Freehold Raceway, Meadowlands, the Meadows, Monticello Raceway, Mountaineer Race Track, Northfield Park, Northville Downs, Penn National, Pompano Park, Rosecroft Raceway and Sam Houston Race Park. For more information, or to obtain a calendar, please contact the Raceway at (914) 968-4200.