by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — The local rivals haven’t been able to slow down Santastic’s Pan. Neither could the local rain.

The red-hot four-year-old son of The Panderosa won his fifth Yonkers Raceway Open Handicap Pace in as many tries, handily taking Saturday night’s (April 30) $15,000 tri-feature through mounting moisture.

Leaving from his assigned outside post position seven, Santastic’s Pan and regular driver Mike Forte were on the move early. The 9-10 favorite rushed up to get the lead around Sempre Pronto (Marcus Johansson) passing a :28.1 opening quarter-mile. Santastic’s Pan led over a “good” surface through a :57.3 half before Vantastic Wizzard (Jim Marshall III) pulled first-over from fifth. Mr. Wizzard prompted a spiffy :28 third quarter, but was eventually dismissed. Santastic’s Pan took a length and a half lead into the lane, then held Sempre Pronto at bay, winning by a length and a quarter in a solid 1:54.1. Spandrel Hanover (Jeff Gregory), Vantastic Wizzard and a slow-starting Skeeter Todd (Ray Schnittker) completed the cashers.

For Santastic’s Pan, it was his sixth win in 11 seasonal starts. Sent out by Team Annunziata — owner Richard and trainer Ettore — he paid $3.80, leading an $18 exacta and $76 triple.

While Forte garnered all the glory in Saturday night’s marquee pace, he had to share the spotlight in the Open Handicap Trot. That’s because, try as he might, Mr. Photo Finish could not separate the Forte-driven Cobrador Kosmos and the Jim Meittinis-escorted 3-2 favorite Sundance Kid G.

It was not a pretty picture at the outset of the six horse soiree (outside assignee Over The Wire was scratched-judges), as half of the contestants did the mambo. Border-crosser Viva La Vida Loca (Marshall III), last week’s upset winner, Marcarius (Stephane Bouchard), and river-crosser Striking Rum (Gregory) each misbehaved.

Cobrador Kosmos, at 18-1 the longest shot on the board, had no such problems. He left well from pylons, as did Sundance Kid G from post six. “Cobrador” put up leisurely fractions of :29.1, 1:00 2 and 1:29.4, all the while with the people’s choice on his back. The leader had a length and a half to play with entering the stretch, but Sundance Kid G ducked inside for the drive.

Marcarius, who rallied from his early bobble, was chasing the leading tandem, but could not gain late. Meanwhile, Cobrador Kosmos and Sundance Kid G hit the line together, and after an interminable wait, a draw was in store in 2:00 flat. Marcarius, Total Mayhem (Johansson) and Viva La Vida Loca also made money, while Striking Rum couldn’t get out of his own way.

Cobrador Kosmos, a seven-year-old Royal Troubador gelding, paid $12.80 for his share of a fourth win in 16 ’05 tries. Forte also trained for co-owners Brian Kleinberg and Mark Feder.

Sundance Kid G, a six-year-old German-bred King Pine gelding, was trained by Don Sider for Jesmeral Stable. He returned $3.40 for his portion of a fourth victory in 10 ’05 efforts.

The exactas were worth $49.40 (with Cobrador Kosmos first) and $15.40 (with Sundance Kid G first), with the triple paying $247 (Cobrador Kosmos leading the ticket) and $70 (Sundance Kid G doing the same).

Shamelessly moving the ladies to the back of the line, the classy Lady Matawai N (Gregory) outgamed a stubborn Park ‘Em Out Missy (Eric Abbatiello) as closers ruled the Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace.

That’s because one outsider, Magic Sugar (Mark Beckwith), parked out another in Miss Galvinator A (Jim Marohn) through ambitious fractions of :27 and :56 flat. “Missy,” after racing second-over with cover, went three-deep about the same time Ms Matawai was going four-wide.

Both cleared the tiring speed just after the 1:25.3 three-quarters, and the battle lines were drawn. Lady Matawai N, the 17-10 fave from the eight hole, prevailed by a hard-fought three-parts of a lengths in 1:56. Casino Miss (Bouchard) was third, four lengths in arrears, with Get Over Lil (Jay Randall) and Magic Sugar grabbing the small gusto.

Lady Matawai N, a seven-year-old Down Under daughter of Tuapeka Knight, returned $5.40 for her third victory in 11 ’05 efforts. Ross Croghan trained the winner — now over $380,000 in career cash — for owner James Kouretas. Ms. Matawai led a $57.50 exacta and $176 triple.

Yonkers races three nights per week, with first post every Monday, Tuesday and Saturday night at 7:40 p.m. Free admission is offered on Monday and Tuesday. Evening simulcasting is available Fridays (also free admission), while afternoon simulcasting continues around the NYRA schedule (more free admission).

Please note that the Raceway is one again offering simulcasting of the Kentucky Derby. Edition 131 goes next Saturday (May 7) from Churchill Downs, with advanced wagering at Yonkers beginning Friday. Gates open at 10:30 a.m. both Friday (Kentucky Oaks Day) and Derby Day Saturday, with Churchill’s first post both days at 11 a.m.