by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway offered its richest 2004 race to date on Friday night (March 26) with the $39,000 final of the Petticoat Pacing Series for three and four-year-old fillies and mares…though all the finalists were of the older variety.

Vivacious Raider, the only lass to sweep all three preliminary legs, was sent postward as the 9-10 favorite. The Keystone Raider mare, trained by Scott Donaldson, had herself a new escort in Jim Marshall III as Stephane Bouchard opted to sit behind Giggling Matti.

The aforementioned Giggling Matti, leaving hard from post position number five in the field of eight, threw in some steps in and out of the first turn. Bouchard was adroitly able to get her on gait before clearing Ex Libris Hanover (Steve Smith). The quarter mile went in a snappy :28⁴.

Vivacious Raider, away third, moved to command in and out of the second turn, taking the ladies past the intermission in :57². Soon thereafter, an anxious Ex Libris Hanover made her second move, taking out of third to engage the favorite.

When “Ex Libris” came first-over, she towed Student Driver (and her student driver, Jeff Gregory) into the race. Vivacious Raider still maintained a tenuous advantage at the 1:26⁴ three-quarters, and into the lane.

For her part, Ex Libris Hanover put in a race and a half, grinding past Vivacious Raider early in the stretch. However, she could not fight off the better trip of Student Driver, who edged by, a half length to the good, in a season’s best 1:56⁴. Emerald Green (Greg Merton), a 33-1 proposition, closed to grab third, a length behind Student Driver. Cheshire Kitty (Jim Meittinis) — the pari-mutuel partner of the winner — and Giggling Matti completed the cashers. Vivacious Raider, Moca Ali (Rick Farrington) and K J Six (Frank Galante) rounded out the order of finish.

Student Driver, a daughter of Jate Lobell, is trained by Bruce Saunders for Ohio co-owners Donald and Michael Robinson and Robert Mondillo. It was her second win and eighth in the money finish in 10 seasonal tries. Student Driver ($10) saw her career earnings go over the $142,000 plateau.

The exacta paid $28, while the triple returned $244.50.

Friday night ‘s $12,000 Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace went to invading Weeping Wanabe (Bouchard, four winners on the nine race program), winning as the odd-on ($2.40) choice in 1:55². The five-year-old Artsplace ma’am, co-owned by Ed Mullinax and Frank Deltore and trained by Mark Ford, notched her first board finish in five ’04 efforts.

The $12,000 Open (not Handicap) Trot was annexed by Tequila Spur (Bouchard), who outmuscled Kash Hombre on the money in 1:59³. Tequila Spur ($3.90), a four-year-old son of Muscles Yankee, is owned by Roy Davis and trained by Ford.

The trio of Petticoat consolations, worth $15,000, $7,000 and $7,000, respectively, went to Breezy Knoll Melni (Meittinis, 1:57², $6.60); Malka’s Sister (Merton, 1:59², $2.80) and Sheer Sahbra (Jim Marohn, 1:58⁴, $8.40).

The $38,800 final of the Sagamore Hill Pacing Series goes Saturday night (March 27).

Please note Yonkers Raceway’s amended live harness schedule. First post every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday is 7:40 p.m., with free admission offered Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Evening simulcasting accompanies all live programs, while afternoon simulcasting continues around the NYRA schedule.