by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Double-millionaire Resolve returns to the scene of his world record romp Saturday night (June 24), headlining Yonkers Raceway’s $55,000 Open Handicap Trot.

Mike Lizzi photo

International Trot winner Resolve headlines the Open Handicap Trot this Saturday at Yonkers.

When last working in Westchester, the now-6-year-old son of Muscle Hill made short work of his rivals in last October’s million-dollar Yonkers International Trot. Resolve went the mile and a quarter distance in a spiffy 2:23.4.

Resolve began this season by winning the $200,000 Cutler Memorial (Meadowlands), then hightailed it to Solvalla, where he was second (elimination) and third (final) in the Elitlopp.

Assigned outside his seven rivals in Saturday night’s sixth race, trainer Ake Svanstedt takes his usual seat for owner Hans Enggren.

There are few lightweights in this week’s marquee trot.

Obrigado (Mark MacDonald, post six) and his $1.6 million resume started his season with a solid second in Scioto’s $200,000 Charlie Hill Memorial, while veteran statebred Gural Hanover (George Brennan, post four) has been rock-solid in his last three tries across the river.

Melady’s Monet (Jason Bartlett, post seven), though not being able to reach from a 12-hole here a week ago, had won two of his previous three local Open Handicap tries. Barn Doll (Jeff Gregory, post three) defends the honor of the fairer sex, going after a 20th career win.

Springbank Sam N (Jordan Stratton, post one), Money Maven (Eric Goodell, post two) and Red Hot Herbie (Dan Dube, post five) complete the octet.

Saturday night’s co-featured 55-large Open Handicap Pace (eighth race) finds Western Fame (MacDonald) banished behind the eight-ball.