by M. Kelly Young, executive director, Harness Horse Breeders of New York

Latham, NY — Leading New York Sires Stakes driver Jim Morrill, Jr. will be a guest on the Sirius satellite radio program “Down The Stretch” on Saturday (September 15) to discuss the $1.2 million New York Night of Champions at Yonkers Raceway. Driver Trevor Ritchie will also be featured and talk about the Canadian Trotting Classic at Mohawk Racetrack, also contested that evening.

Morrill, in his first fully committed season on the New York Sires Stakes circuit, leads the standings with $2.3 million in earnings — more than twice that of closest competitor, Yonkers regular Stephane Bouchard.

The reinsman is entered in seven of the eight $150,000 New York Sires Stakes Championships. He will be steering 3-year-old pacing colt Kenneth J, who is looking to defend the Championship title he earned on last year’s Night of Champions and will surpass the $1 million mark in career earnings with a check of any type in Saturday’s final.

Morrill will also be steering several talented freshman pacers in JK Majorette, a filly who has won five of her six starts this season, and colt Hands To Yourself, who boasts a 1:53.3 record. Both led the point standings heading into the final.

The driver’s other opportunities come with 3-year-old pacing filly Pancleefandarpels, sophomore trotting colt Conway Court, 2-year-old trotting colt Ace High Hall and 3-year-old filly trotter Oh Oh Its Magic.

Trevor Ritchie will discuss Saturday’s Canadian Trotting Classic, which he won last year with Majestic Son. This year, Ritchie is driving Val Taurus, a Montreal-based colt who is seven-for-seven this year and undefeated in 15 lifetime races. The field also includes Hambletonian and World Trotting Derby champ Donato Hanover, who is seven-for-seven this year and has won 15 consecutive starts dating to June 2006.

“Down The Stretch” can be heard from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Sirius channel 119. Morrill will be featured shortly after 10:30 a.m. The show is hosted weekly by Bill Finley, Dave Johnson, Jay Privman and Caton Bredar. It covers the world of Thoroughbred racing and features a 30-mintue segment devoted to harness racing.