by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Sempre Pronto, board-placed in his last seven outings, is among the happy half-dozen set to settle the issue in Saturday night’s $15,000 Open Handicap Pace at Yonkers Raceway. Post time for the 11 race card is 7:40 p.m., with the weekly pacing feature going as the ninth race.

Sempre Pronto was assigned post position number five, with Jim Marohn again driving for owner-trainer Ettore Annunziata. The five-year-old son of Northern Luck, runner-up (to the AWOL Black Cat Bone) in last week’s featured pace, has a win and two seconds in three seasonal starts. He owns three wins, three seconds and a third in his previous seven tries dating to late November.

Davay To San Jose (Jeff Gregory, post six) was sent to the outside for his local debut. The five-year-old Oye Vay gelding, trained by Rich Banca, enters after pair of sixth place finishes across the river. “Davay” won four races and more than $86,000 a year ago.

Kurt Rustler (Stephane Bouchard, post four) faces the leading crowd for the first time, having won three of his last four tries. The four-year-old Rustler Hanover gelding, trained by Tim Case, put together a seven win, $62,000 season a year ago.

Gold Fever (Greg Merton, post three) makes first Westchester appearance since the latter part of November. The five-year-old Artsplace gelding was up the track in his last try across the river, snapping a string of five consecutive money efforts.

Gershwin Blue Chip (Mark Beckwith, post one) and Am I Nest A (Billy Parker, Jr., post two) complete the feature roster. The two were sixth and fourth, respectively, in last week’s Open Handicap Pace.

Saturday’s evening simulcast schedule includes Northfield (post time 7:00), Pompano (7:00), Saratoga (7:00), Penn National (7:20), Rosecroft (7:20), Meadowlands (7:30) and Balmoral (8:40).

The Raceway’s Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday night schedule remains in effect for the first two months of the new year. First post remains at the usual 7:40 p.m.

Please note that the Raceway is not open Thursday evening for simulcasting as originally scheduled. Afternoon simulcasting continues to be offered around the NYRA schedule.

January’s evening harness simulcast schedule includes Balmoral Park, Freehold Raceway, Lebanon Raceway, Maywood Park, Meadowlands, the Meadows, Monticello Raceway, Northfield Park, Northville Downs, Penn National, Pompano Park, Rosecroft Raceway and Saratoga Raceway.

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