by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — True Story, who won last week’s Open Handicap Trot (true story) at Yonkers Raceway, tries for a repeat in Friday night’s $15,000 co-feature. Post time for the 10 race card is 7:40 p.m., with the week’s marquee trot going as the seventh race.

True Story was assigned post position number six, with Jeff Gregory again driving for trainer Nat Varty and co-owners 50-12 Stable, Clement, Beltrami and Beltrami. The seven-year-old pacing-bred (and double-gaited) Kentucky Spur gelding sat chilly from third in his local debut a week ago, then edged out before the final turn to prevail going away for his second win in six seasonal starts. True Story’s trotting earnings are just over $197,000.

Blastaway Sahbra (Stephane Bouchard, post seven) found the promised land in his last local try two weeks ago. The six-year-old Striking Sahbra gelding, trained by Mark Ford for co-owners Dean Davis and Brenda Sugg, returns from a fruitless trip across the river. He has notched all three of his ’04 victories here.

Flapjack Attack (Jim Doherty, post five) makes his first Westchester appearance since early January. The six-year-old Inquirer gelding, also trained by Doherty for owner Michael Riggi, enters after a pair of good-try seconds across the river. His lone seasonal victory was here in a Preferred Handicap to begin ’04.

B J’s Roadette (Jim Marshall III, post four) tries for her third victory of the season. The nine-year-old daughter of Giant Victory, owned by Brian Nixon and trained by Mark Harder, takes on the boys in her local return. She returned to the races here in late ’03 after having been away since October of 1998.

Madison’s Tuition (Rick Farrington, post one) cut the fractions a week ago before finishing second to True Story. The seven-year-old Keystone Fool gelding, owned and trained by David Martin, was a winner at the Meadows in his previous try.

On Tour (Ray Schnittker, post three) has been twice second and twice third in his last four tries — all in local Open Handicaps — while Kash Hombre (Jim Marohn, post two) tries for a 16th consecutive payday.

Friday’s co-featured Filly and Mare Open Handicap Pace (ninth race) finds Lady Matawai N (Gregory, post eight) going for a third consecutive victory. The six-year-old Down Under daughter of Tupeka Knight, owned by James Kouretas and trained by Ross Croghan, is both consistent and versatile. After going down the road two weeks ago, Ms. Matawai easily went by a wild-speed leader a week ago for her 17th victory in 40 tries dating to the beginning of last season. She has made money in all 20 of her local tries.

Sweet On Art (Schnittker, post four) was third in last week’s distaff derby. The four-year-old Artsplace miss, owned by Steve Jones and trained by Paul Doherty, has a win, a second and the aforementioned third in her half-dozen ’04 efforts.

Casino Miss (Bouchard, post seven) tried to run away and hide (:55⁴ half) a week ago, but they found her. The four-year-old daughter of Cam’s Card Shark tired to fourth in last week’s Open ‘Cap, and can eclipse the $200,000 career earnings figure with a top three finish Friday.

Lady Jag (Rejean Daigneault, post three) was up on the money (at 15-1) in last week’s Preferred Handicap, earning a first-ever pledge to the leading sorority. The eight-year-old daughter of Jaguar Spur, owned and trained by Mike Peters, has won thrice in her last seven work nights.

Royal Gala (Marohn, post five), though winless in the early season, has hit the board in three of her four ’04 efforts, while Magical Leah (Jim Meittinis, post six) has wound up fifth (to Lady Matawai N) in her last two tries.

Dynasty G F (Greg Merton, post one) and Rosy Deal N (Farrington, post two) complete the fairer-sex foray.

Friday’s evening simulcast schedule includes the Meadows (post time 6:40), Northfield (7:00), Pompano (7:00), Saratoga (7:00), Penn National (7:20), Buffalo (7:30) and Meadowlands (7:30).

The Raceway’s Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday night schedule remains in effect through February. First post remains at the usual 7:40 p.m. Please note that the Raceway is not open Thursday evening for simulcasting as originally scheduled. Afternoon simulcasting continues to be offered around the NYRA schedule.

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

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