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

Yonkers, NY — When nearly $6.7 million of career class and cash hit town, notice is summarily taken. Such is the case Friday night (Aug. 22), with Yonkers Raceway’s $44,000 Open Trot enhanced by the presence of Bee A Magician and Arch Madness.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Bee A Magician drew the rail in Friday’s Open Trot at Yonkers.

Bee A Magician, the reigning harness Horse of the Year, won the draw by getting the rail as she makes her local debut and just her third career half-mile track start (two at Flamboro in 2012). The 4-year-old daughter of Kadabra, driven by Brian Sears, is trained by Nifty Norman for co-owners David McDuffee, Mel Hartman and Herb Liverman.

After a 17-for-17, $1.5 million season a year ago, Bee A Magician has a win and five seconds in seven tries this season ($154,704). The career bankroll is in excess of $2.4 million.

Despite her lack of small-track experience, “I have no reason to think she won’t handle it,” Norman said. “I’m probably gonna tighten up some of her equipment a bit, but that’s about it.

“It should be a good test for her. She needed a race (out 20 days since her last start), we’re planning to race her on the half at Delaware (Ohio) next month, and perhaps we can come back for the (details to be announced) Invitational Trot here (late October).”

“She trots the turns well, so I don’t see a problem,” Sears said. “We can play it by ear and see how the race unfolds.”

According to the U.S. Trotting Association’s Anne Chunko, Bee A Magician is the first Horse of the Year to race here after winning the award since Gallo Blue Chip (HOY in 2000, raced here twice in ’03).

With a mere $4.2 million in lifetime loot, Arch Madness makes just his second Westchester visit (an eight hole break in a 2009 Open Handicap Trot). He drew post position No. 3 for trainer-driver Trond Smedshammer. The 10-year-old Balanced Image gelding, who could also be an Invitational candidate, is co-owned by Marc Goldberg and Willow Pond LLC.

With 35 wins in 117 career starts, there’s not much room left on this resume.

The remainder of Friday night’s overstuffed co-feature (eighth race, approximate post time 9:30 p.m.) includes 2-Sombody As (Dan Dube), 4-Tober (Jason Bartlett), 5-Theraputic (George Brennan) 6-Dewycolorintheline (Jordan Stratton), 7-Coraggioso (Eric Carlson) and 8-Obrigado (Brent Holland).

Dewycolorintheline won the 2013 Yonkers Trot, while Coraggioso was the 2012 New York Sire Stakes (3-year-old colt/gelding) champ.