by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway’s Friday night $44,000 co-featured Open Handicaps — one for distaff pacers and one for trotters of any affiliation — were won by a from-last Venus Delight (Jason Bartlett, $93.50) and a stubborn Traverse Seelster (Tyler Buter, $5.20).

Venus Delight, beginning outside of her foes, viewed from the rear as 3-2 choice Robin Cruiser (Jordan Stratton) made the lead around Scandalous Hanover (Eric Carlson). After a :27.1 opening quarter and seemingly-soft :56.3 intermission, no one moved in front of Royal Cee Cee N (George Brennan), who did so from sixth.

Mayra Escamilla photo

Venus Delight (No. 8) rallied late to win the Mares Open Handicap on Friday night.

That brought up both last week’s victress, Campanile (Buter), as well as Venus Delight, while Robin Cruiser found a 1:25.2 three-quarters.

Robin Cruiser maintained a short lead into the lane, until the outer flow rolled her over. Royal Cee Cee N went by first, then Campanile, then finally Venus Delight. That one whipped Campanile by a head in 1:53.2, with Royal Cee Cee N, Scandalous Hanover and a tiring Robin Cruiser rounding out the payees.

For seventh choice Venus Delight, a 4-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight trained by PJ Fraley for owner Bamond Racing, it was her fifth win in 21 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $595, with the triple returning $940.

The week’s marquee trot saw Traverse Seelster — one of several leavers, he from post position No. 5 — settle early before stepping past pole assignee Bingo Queen (Eric Goodell). Traverse Seelster, as the 8-5 favorite, shooed just about everyone away through sub-stations of :28.2, :58.2 and 1:27.

The lone “nuisance” was a first-up Obrigado (Bartlett), who chased the leader for all he was worth before missing by a length in 1:55.1. Somebody AS (Dan Dube) was third, beaten 3-1/2 lengths, with Rossini (Larry Stalbaum) and The Triple Lindy (Carlson) settling for the small change.

Traverse Seelster, a 6-year-old Angus Hall gelding owned by Keith Pippi and trained by Amber Buter, is now 13-for-25 this season. The exacta (two wagering favorites) paid $14.80, the triple returned $111 and the superfecta paid $632.

Also Friday, Yonkers honored New York State racing inspector Matt Bibbo, who is retiring Saturday night.