by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Black Cat Bone, twice a winner in his last three starts, was assigned the outside position among the six-pack for Saturday night’s $15,000 Open Handicap Pace at Yonkers Raceway. Post time for the 11 race card is 7:40 p.m., with the weekly pacing feature going as the ninth race.

Black Cat Bone gets the steering services of Jim Marshall III for co-owners Jeffrey Eckburg and Paul Pearson and trainer Mark Ford. The seven-year-old Sportsmaster gelding returns after winning a central Jersey Invitational Handicap in a season’s best 1:55³.

Proving he’s an equal opportunity equine, Black Cat Bone was a handy Open ‘Cap winner here on January 31.

For the season, this Black Cat has won three of his five tries and enters Saturday’s sojourn with career cash in excess of $348,000. He has 14 victories over the past season-plus.

Glen Mark Lucky (Jeff Gregory, post five) makes just his second start of the season. The six-year-old Camluck gelding, co-owned by Fred and Anita Fialkow and Ron Pilatsky and trained by Julius Czermann, Jr., was a winner in his last local try in late November.

Kurt Rustler (Stephane Bouchard, post four) has pair of wins and a pair of seconds in five local tries. The four-year-old Rustler Hanover gelding, trained by Tim Case for owner Dan Gagliardi, second in last week’s Open Handicap, has three wins and two seconds in his seven ’04 work nights.

Sempre Pronto (Jim Marohn, post three), who whipped lesser two starts ago, eyes a third seasonal victory. The five-year-old son of Northern Luck, owned and trained by Ettore Annunziata, has matched Black Cat Bone’s win total of 14 since the beginning of ’03.

Gershwin Blue Chip (Greg Merton, post one) and Am I Next A (Billy Parker, Jr., post two) complete the roster.

Saturday’s evening simulcast schedule includes Northfield (post time 7:00), Pompano (7:00), Saratoga (7:00), Rosecroft (7:20), Buffalo (7:30), Meadowlands (7:30) and Balmoral (8:40).

The Raceway’s Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday night schedule remains in effect through February. First post remains at the usual 7:40 p.m. Please note that the Raceway is not open Thursday evening for simulcasting as originally scheduled. Afternoon simulcasting continues to be offered around the NYRA schedule.

February’s evening/harness simulcast schedule includes Balmoral Park, Buffalo Raceway, Freehold Raceway, Maywood Park, Meadowlands, the Meadows, Monticello Raceway, Northfield Park, Northville Downs, Penn National, Pompano Park, Rosecroft Raceway and Saratoga Raceway.

For more information, or to obtain a calendar, please contact the Raceway at (914) 968-4200.