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

Yonkers, NY — Elimination winners Adrian Chip and Primary AS drew post positions five and six, respectively, for Saturday night’s (August 25) $644,770 final of the Yonkers Trot at Yonkers Raceway.

The 53rd Trot, second jewel of the Trotting Triple Crown, goes as the sixth race on Yonkers’ 10-race program. First post is 7:40 p.m., with the Yonkers Trot scheduled for approximately 9:20 p.m. Eight 3-year-olds — seven colts and one gelding — shall contest Yonkers’ premier trotting event.

Adrian Chip, the Amish-bred, Swedish-owned son of Andover Hall, coasted in his elimination. Helped along by very slow early fractions, “Adrian” won by a length in 2:01.2. He enters Saturday night’s final with six wins and two seconds in eight seasonal starts, and his ’07 earnings of $562,519 make him by far the richest horse in this field.

Swedish trainer Robert Bergh again does the driving behind Adrian Chip, made the 9-5 morning line favorite.

Primary AS, who kept the Scandinavian theme going by winning last week’s second Trot elimination in 1:58.2, drew post six for the final as the 3-1 early second choice. Trainer Trond Smedshammer, a native of Norway, drives the Malabar Man colt, who has won five races in eight ’07 tries ($187,125).

Primary AS, foaled in Sweden, now races for Norwegian-based Kittlesen Racing Stable.

Smedshammer, who is looking for his third Yonkers Trot training victory — second as a driver — has never won this race at Yonkers. His two victories (trainer/driver of Trotting Triple Crown winner Windsong’s Legacy in 2004; trainer of Strong Yankee in 2005) came when this race was out of town (Hawthorne, Freehold) as Yonkers was readying for the era of video lottery terminals.

The field for the 2007 Yonkers Trot, with declared drivers and morning line odds: 1-Up Front Larry, Driver TBA, 8-1; 2-Green Day (the lone gelding), Catello Manzi, 4-1; 3-Cayenne Turbo, Jim Meittinis, 20-1; 4-Quite Easy, Jimmy Takter, 6-1; 5-Adrian Chip, Robert Bergh, 9-5; 6-Primary AS, Trond Smedshammer, 3-1; 7-Got That Look, Jeff Gregory, 15-1; 8-Anderberg, Steve Smith, 10-1. The Liquidator (Gregory) is an also eligible.

Saturday night’s card also features the $300,330 final of the Hudson Filly Trot for 3-year-olds (seventh race), which shook out this way: 1-Michelle’s Angel, Jeff Gregory, 10-1; 2-Classical Mary, Tony Morgan, 8-1; 3-Vanity Plates, Chris Ryder, 5-1; 4-Vulcanize, Pat Berry, 2-1; 5-Oh Oh It’s Magic, Driver TBA, 3-1; 6-Celebrity Feeling, Mark Gingrich, 15-1; 7-Flash Lightning, Catello Manzi, 7-2; 8-Eyefull, Steve Smith, 20-1. Granny Gui (Stephane Bouchard) is an also eligible.