by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway Friday night (July 28) plays host to the ladies, with the $167,499 New York Sire Stakes Mike Cohen Pace for 3-year-old fillies. The draw came up ‘three sixes,’ with divisions (races four, five and six) worth $55,833 each. First post for the dozen-race card is the customary 7:10 p.m.

The Cohen — honoring the memory of the former publicity director of both Yonkers Raceway and NBC Sports — is the second local go-round for this group.

Tequila Monday (Brian Sears, post three) looms a short number in the opening event. The daughter of American Ideal drilled her statebred rivals (as fresh Lasix) here earlier this month, her fifth win in eight seasonal starts ($187,543). The Lismore champ is trained by Chris Oakes for co-owners Susan Oakes and Chuck Pompey.

Clear Idea (George Brennan, post two) should make Tequila Monday work for it. Another American Ideal miss, she’s six-for-12 this season, including three consecutive NYSS wins. Blake MacIntosh co-owns (with Hutt Racing) and trains the lass, who has hit the board in each and every ’17 start.

Friday’s second Cohen event didn’t come up nearly as potent as the opener. World Apart (Jason Bartlett, post two) and Queen Josephine (Brett Miller, post six) were both bridesmaids in their latest NYSS tries, the latter in her last couple.

The final NYSS grouping includes Ann Hill (Sears, post four), fresh off her 11-1 upset here in her latest try. The daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven, co-owned by trainer Richie Silverman and Neal Oksenberg, has won twice in seven tries this season.

Roaring To Go (Brett Miller, post one), among the best in her freshman class, hasn’t raced back to it at 3. The Art Major miss is winless in a half-dozen ’17 starts.

Friday’s card also features the $55,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace, with Medusa (Miller) remanded outside her seven foes.