by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — It’s not quite the distaff derby, but seven sorority sisters square off in Friday night’s $10,000 pacing feature at Yonkers Raceway. Post time for the nine race card is 7:40 p.m., with the week’s gal get-together going as the seventh race.

Tussy Mussy (Greg Merton, post six) rallied to win a high-end optional claimer a week ago, and her earnings over the past six starts forced an outer assignment in this event. The six-year-old daughter of Moonlight Sam, trained by Tim Case for owner Alvin Jacobson, has hit the board in all seven of her seasonal soirees (two wins, three seconds, two thirds).

Student Driver (Jim Meittinis, post seven) crosses the river after being placed first in her most recent effort 15 nights ago. The five-year-old Jate Lobell lass, co-owned by Michael and Donald Robinson and Robert Mondillo and trained by Bruce Saunders, makes her first local try since last July. Student Driver won the $39,000 final of the Petticoat Pacing Series last March over this surface, the largest payday of her career.

Dynasty G F (Stephane Bouchard, post five) was outrun in her last couple of Open Handicap Pace efforts, but enters with a pair of wins and a pair of seconds in her eight ’05 outings.

Bastet Hanover (Marcus Johansson, post two) and Petey’s Tweety (Eric Abbatiello, post three) were both bridesmaids in their last starts, while I’m All Speed (Driver TBA, post one) leaves East Rutherford series competition. Asian Express (Mark Beckwith, post four) eyes her third win of the season.

Friday night’s $9,000 featured trot (sixth race) finds Bavarian import Marcarius (Bouchard, post eight), reclaimed by trainer Case after his most recent try, going after his third ’05 victory.

Yonkers Raceway has altered its live harness schedule, dropping Friday nights effective next week (March 11).

“Over the past few weeks, the entry box has been very light,” general manager Bob Galterio said. “Rather than offer a limited number of races each night, many with short fields, we have decided to eliminate Fridays for the immediate future.

“As always, we are continuing to monitor the number of entrants with the hope of restoring Friday racing as soon as possible,” Galterio said. “In the meantime, we’d like to thank the New York State Racing and Wagering Board, our horsemen and our fans for their understanding.”

Please note that Friday evening simulcasting is available.

Beginning the week of Monday, March 7, Yonkers is to race three nights per week, with first post every Monday, Tuesday and Saturday night at 7:40 p.m. Afternoon simulcasting continues around the NYRA schedule.

Friday’s evening simulcast schedule includes the Meadows (post time 6:00), Northfield (7:00), Saratoga (7:00), Pompano (7:20), Rosecroft (7:20), Buffalo (7:30) and Meadowlands (7:30).

March’s evening/harness simulcast schedule includes Buffalo Raceway, Freehold Raceway, Meadowlands, the Meadows, Monticello Raceway, Northfield Park, Northville Downs, Pompano Park, Rosecroft Raceway and Saratoga Raceway.

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