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

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway’s stakes agenda continues next week, led by a pair of rich series finals.

Starting on Monday night (April 2), the $66,400 finale of the Petticoat Pacing Series for 3- and 4-year-old fillies and mares goes as the sixth race.

Sir Jillian Z Tam (Patrick Lachance) won the draw and was given the mantle of morning line favorite on the strength of wins in her last two series preliminary efforts. The 4-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight, co-owned (with Z Tam Racing and Ira Rosenblum) and trained by Lachance, is 4-for-8 this season.

Look Annie Hall (George Brennan, post three), Vy Hanover (Jordan Stratton, post four) and Southwind Trini (Cat Manzi, post five) are among the formidable foes.

On Tuesday night (April 3), it’s the richest local race of the season to date, the $70,400 final of the Sagamore Hill Pacing Series for 3- and 4-year-old colts, horses and geldings going as the sixth race.

Early favoritism was given to Cam B Zipper (Jason Bartlett, post three), one of two combatants to sweep all three preliminary legs. The 4-year-old Cammibest gelding, co-owned by Allen Kaplan, Howard Taylor, Rojan and LA Express Stables and trained by Mike Hall, is nearing a quarter-million dollars in career earnings.

Avenue Hanover (Daniel Dube, post seven), also 3-for-3 in the trials, has won a third of his 27 career starts. The 4-year-old son of Cam’s Card Shark is owned and trained by Mark Silva.

Stakes/series action continues next weekend, with Round 3 of both the Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series set for Friday and Saturday, respectively.