by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway’s 12-race Saturday program is that night’s attraction for the World Harness Handicapping Championship.

The competitive card is highlighted by the $35,000 Open Handicap Pace, going as the sixth race. The feature includes a pair of career millionaires in Annieswesterncard (Matt Kakaley, post five) and Silent Swing (Mark MacDonald, post seven) as well as formful foes Rockin’ Robert (Jordan Stratton, post four) and Roadway (George Brennan, post eight). Those two each have a pair of wins and a second in their last three tries.

Not to give away any company secrets, but those looking for wagering insights for the Open Handicap Pace and the entire program would be well-advised to peruse the free handicapping sheet prepared by noted Raceway raconteur (and Saturday co-host) Peter Venaglia. It’s distributed on track Saturday, as well as available online at www.yonkersraceway.com (go to “live video” section) and www.soaofny.com.

World Harness Handicapping Championship contestants can register free (and get free past performance program pages) at www.HorseTourneys.com (also linked through the USTA and Yonkers Raceway sites), but are required to enter each week starting Monday at 9 a.m. (EST) to participate in the upcoming weekend’s contests. Entries are be limited to 1,000 for each contest on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Each handicapper selects one horse and an alternate, in case of a late scratch, for a $2 win-place wager on each race at the featured track that evening, with all selections needing to be submitted prior to post time of the first race.