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

Yonkers, NY — A week out from hosting the $1.2 million New York Night of Champions, a pair of statebred divisions invade Yonkers Raceway for seven Saturday (September 8) soirees.

The $289,520 Hugh Grant Pace (3-year-old colts and geldings) goes as a foursome (races six, seven, eight and nine) while the $251,967 Jim Meagher Pace (2-year-old colts and geldings) performs as a trio (races two, three and four). Post time for the 10-race card is 7:40 p.m.

Deferring to age, we shall foray first into the sophomores, where Kenneth J goes after his fourth consecutive victory. He drew post position five in the second ($72,705) Grant gathering. The son of Bettor’s Delight, trained by Linda Toscano for owner Ken Jacobs, won his last two NYSS events (Tioga and Saratoga) as a 1-20 wagering proposition. He also did damage in the Catskills, winning the $478,000 final of the Monticello Gold Rush in late July. For the season, “Kenneth’s” frequency is six wins and a pair of seconds in 11 tries ($557,738). A victory Saturday night makes him a millionaire.

Wealth Manager (Tony Morgan, post six) and Panedict Arnold (Brian Sears, post three) have both joined Kennth J in the six-win column this season.

The evening’s third ($72,705) NYSS soph event finds Forensic Z Tam (Pat Lachance, post four) returning here for the first time since being outkicked (by Southwind Lynx) in the million dollar final of the Art Rooney Pace in early June. The Bettor’s Delight colt, traned by Lachance for Z Tam Racing, is closing in on $400,000 in seasonal stash.

Saturday night’s first ($72,705) Grant grouping includes The Best (Josh Marks, post two) — he of six victories and more than $113,000 in ’07 — while the final ($71,405) Sires Stakes event for 3-year-olds is led by Big Al’s Delight (Sears, post one), solid against statebreds and third in the $500,000 Hoosier Cup in late June.

The renamed Meagher events — honoring the memory of Yonkers’ long-time corporate controller — are worth $84,489, $84,489 and $82,989, respectively.

Divison standouts Hands To Yourself (Morrill Jr., post one) and Riggins (Ray Schnittker, post four) collide in the opening frosh division.

The former, a Sealed N Delivered gelding, has won five of his six summertime efforts ($78,729), including his last couple Sires Stakes at Monticello and Tioga (life-best 1:53.3). Angelo LaBella trains for the consortium of Moran, McCarthy, Chilson and DePasquale.

The latter, a son of Art Major, has four victories and a second in six ’07 tries ($102,403). Like Hands To Yourself, Riggins beat his brethren at Monticello and Tioga. He owns a life-best 1:54, taken at Saratoga early last month, making him the national season’s leader among plebe pacing colts on a half-mile oval. Schnittker trains for co-owners Taylor, Baldassare, Pepin and Buffalo Boy’s Stable.

The second Meagher melange finds Share The Delight (Morrill Jr., post four) daring to test his perfect (five-for-five) summer stock slate in the big city. The son of Bettor’s Delight, who’s earned $85,701, is co-owned by a pair of Colorado contingents, The Four Horsemen Stable and Algonquin Farms, and trained by Toscano.

Jagger Blue Chip (Schnittker, post one) has been board-certified in all but one of his seven ’07 tries.

The final froshfest matches up the likes of Bullville Powerful (Stephane Bouchard, post six) — with two wins and a second in his last three (NYSS) starts — and Savannah Scion (Schnittker, post five), who has made money in all seven tries.

The multi-million-dollar New York Sires Stakes has been traversing the state, culminating with the $1.2 million New York Night of Champions here next Saturday night. As always, eight, $150,000 divisional finals shall be contested. Please visit www.nysirestakes.com for further information.

Live racing is currently offered at Yonkers with six programs per week — Monday through Saturday nights at 7:40 p.m. Harness and thoroughbred simulcasting is available seven days a week, while Empire City’s nearly 5,500 video gaming machines are in play daily from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m.