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

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway’s stakes season began Monday night (March 7) with the opening round of the Petticoat Pacing Series for 3- and 4-year-old pacing fillies and mares (non-winners of four races and/or $40,000 through last Dec. 1).

Four $20,000 divisions went postward, with odds-on Kryptos (George Brennan, $2.60) turning in a night’s fastest/lifetime best 1:54.3 effort.

Mike Lizzi photo

Kryptos turned in a night’s fastest/lifetime best 1:54.3 effort.

The 3-year-old daughter of Somebeachsomewhere, four-for-four to begin her career, made short work of her rivals (:28.2, :57.2, 1:26) before winning by a length. The lass is co-owned (as Drennan Stable) by trainer Nik Drennan, Joseph Davino and Brad Shackman.

“She’s a bit green and hasn’t quite figured out the turns, but she can go,” Brennan said.

Driver Scott Zeron won two of the Petticoat divisions, with Capela ($2.60) in 1:55 and Little Miss Sporty ($5.90) in a lifetime best 1:54.4. Both are 4-year-old Sportswriter mares.

The former, trained by Wayne Givens for co-owners Legacy Racing of Delaware and Reginald Hazzard II, is now three-for-six this season (three-for-three since adding Lasix). The latter, owned by Stacy Reinsma and trained by Andrew Harris, has three (consecutive) wins in her five seasonal starts.

The evening’s final series division went to a seasonal-debuting Special Package (Jason Bartlett, $3.40) in 1:55.4. The 4-year-old daughter of Western Terror is co-owned by trainer Tom Fanning and Fly By Night Stables.

The Raceway’s live season continues Tuesday afternoon (first post 1 p.m.), with the opening round of the Sagamore Hill Pacing Series (3- and 4-year-old colts/geldings).