by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — It’s Round 1, Part II of the Yonkers Raceway/Standardbred Owners Association of New York Bonus Trot Series on Saturday night at (where else?) Yonkers Raceway.

Post time for the nine race card is 7:40 p.m., with the quartet of $7,000 events (carried over from Friday night) going as races two, three, six and seven.

The series is open to those trotters (three-year-olds and up) who were non-winners of five races and/or $60,000 through this past February 1. There are four preliminary legs, leading to a $25,000 (est.) final on April 30, with a potential $10,000 bonus to the winning owner(s).

Saturday’s first Bonus Trot event includes Solar News (Jeff Gregory, post one), a winner in his most recent try upstate; and Tori’s Angel (Jim Marohn, post five), who has hit the board in five of her last seven efforts (two wins, two seconds, one third).

The second trotting get-together finds L’argent Hall (Stephane Bouchard, post five) returning to Westchester for his first visit since making a break in last year’s Yonkers Trot eliminations. The veteran 10-year-old Jordan (Alan Schwartz, post one) has been board-placed in his last three outings, while B J’s Black Jack (Scott Mongeon, post seven) has won twice in his last four suburban Albany efforts.

The night’s third Bonus Trot test features mares Nicki’s Sister (Rick Farrington, post two), who lit up the board (at nearly 30-1) two starts ago across the river; and Whip A Way (Bouchard, post three), who’s come to hand for Brian Zendt at the Meadows. Melancholy Comment (Mongeon, post six) has been a fixture in the upstate Open events.

Saturday’s final Bonus split is led by Tequila Spur (Bouchard, post six), a gutsy winner in last week’s local Open Trot, who has already banked more than $35,000 this season. Speedy Rattle (Anne Wheeler, post five) enters this series with six consecutive victories in the Catskills.

Saturday’s card also includes a $12,000 Preferred Handicap Pace (eighth race), with Highest Authority (Bouchard) assigned outside his five rivals.

Saturday’s evening simulcast schedule includes the Meadows (post time 6:40), Northfield (7:00), Pompano (7:00), Saratoga (7:00), Buffalo (7:30), Meadowlands (7:30) and Balmoral (8:40).

The Raceway’s Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday schedule (no live or evening simulcasting Thursday) remains in effect at least until April. First post remains at the usual 7:40 p.m.

Afternoon simulcasting continues to be offered around the NYRA schedule.

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

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