by John Cirillo, for Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway remembers two revered sports figures, beloved harness enthusiasts and champion “good guys” in a pair of upcoming New York Sire Stakes trotting events.

This Friday (Aug. 7), the annual Mike Cohen Trot for 2-year-old fillies gets the party started. The total purse this time around is $151,625, with five $30,325 divisions (races two, four, five, six and seven).

The event pays homage to the superb PR man, whose storied career included stays at Manhattan College, Yonkers Raceway, NBC Sports and his own public relations firm. The Rockland County (NY) native passed away prematurely 27 years ago and the event was named in his honor soon after.

On-air broadcasting greats such as Bob Costas, Marv Albert, Marty Glickman and Spencer Ross, and executive producer Michael Weisman were publicized, strategized and advised by Cohen. Always ready to lend a helping hand, Cohen served as a mentor to a boatload of young publicists before his untimely passing, and dozens learned the craft from this immortal.

Cohen was appropriately dubbed “Inky” for all the press he generated. His wife, Linda, and sons, Todd and Ross, are joining in the tribute races and shall make winner’s circle presentations.

Monday (Aug. 10) offers the sixth annual Dick McGuire Trot for 3-year-old colts and geldings. The purse is $163,874, divided into races six ($81,187) and seven ($82,687). The event, inaugurated in 2010, remembers the New York Knicks and St. John’s point guard and basketball Hall of Famer.

Last season’s frosh divisional champ, Crazy Wow, drew post position No. 2 in the first division.

The McGuire pays tribute to one of basketball’s greatest playmakers, who was also an avid horse player. He was a racing devotee who could regularly be found at harness (including Yonkers) and Thoroughbred tracks across the country, depending where his scouting missions and training camps took him.

The deft-passing McGuire was a five-time NBA All-Star and led the Knicks to three straight NBA finals in the 1950s. His number (15) was retired to the Madison Square Garden rafters in 1992.

As with the Cohens, the McGuires are always well-represented. Dick’s wife, Teri, sons, Richard, Scott and Michael, and daughter, Leslie, and other family members are annually among the gathering.

The Raceway’s live season continues with a five-program-per-week schedule as in Monday (post time 7:10 p.m.), Tuesday (1 p.m.), then Thursday through Saturday (all at 7:10 p.m.). Evening simulcasting accompanies all night programs, with afternoon simulcasting available daily.