The Mildred Williams International Womens Driving Series visited Yonkers Raceway Monday night, and did what it does best - put on a good show while raising money for
a terrific cause.
Pembroke Cushy - making his first purse start since last August - and driver Debbie Rucker overcame the eight-hole en route to wiring seven foes in 1:58.4. Goodbye Gary (Leah Vandervort) chased from the pocket and came up a neck short. The Travelling Man (Doreen Dailey), Jumpin Jack Flash (Anita Valstad) and Albert Street A (Kelly Case) completed the cashers.
Racketeer (Stacy Chiodo), Torero Hall (Elisabeth Jansen) and Mon Ami Hall (Megan Fortna) rounded out the order.
For "Cushy," an eight-year-old Neutralize gelding owned by Jose Iran Ramos and trained by Lou Pena, he returned $7.10 in a winning 2010 debut.
"I wasn't even supposed to drive originally, but I work for Lou (Pena), and when they said they needed someone, I volunteered," Rucker said after career win No. 211.
This was the fourth local visit by the Mildred Williams Series, a lady-drivers-only competition which travels across North America raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities primarily associated with breast cancer research.
All the drivers donate their fees, and the host venues - including Yonkers Raceway - make a contribution to the worthiest of causes. The Raceway's organization of choice remains the Kelly Rooney Foundation. Based in Wayne, Pennsylvania, its mission is funding research, education, awareness and outreach programs focused on breast cancer prevention.
"I'm always so grateful to the girls who give their time and talents, the trainers who put their horses in our races, and especially the tracks like Yonkers who have welcomed us," series organizer Ann Curran said. "It's one of our favourite places to race."
(Yonkers Raceway)