by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — What truly figures to be an open Open highlights the Saturday night after-Smarty soiree at Yonkers Raceway.

Post time for the 12 race card is 7:40 p.m., with the weekly $15,000 pacing feature going as the 10th race.

No handicap here, as all eight starting locales were determined by lot. Chad Lefleur (Jim Marshall III, post seven) and Chewy Gross (Greg Merton, post two), 1-2 in last week’s Open Handicap, are back at it again.

The former took advantage of a generous pole position assignment to go the distance. It was his first season’s victory in his second start since returning from south Florida. “Chad,” an eight-year-old statebred son of On The Road Again, is trained by David McNamara for co-owners Edward and Kathryn Quick. He enters with career earnings in excess of $356,000.

Chewy Gross chased “Chad” around the oval in his first local try since the first week of the new year. The five-year-old Jenna’s Beach Boy gelding tries for his third ’04 victory.

Art Attack (Ted Wing, post five), took last week off, but returns trying for a third consecutive victory (all here). The 10-year-old son of Artsplace, also owned and trained by Wing, has registered all four of his ’04 wins at this venue.

Rob Roy Mattgregor (Stephane Bouchard, post three) gets his first look at Westchester. The four-year-old son of Matt’s Scooter has enjoyed a solid season, with seven wins and 13 board finishes in 19 tries (career-best $76,615).

Hipeka A (Driver TBA, post four) also pays his first local social call. The seven-year-old Down Under Topnotcher gelding was a handy, odds-on winner in a Pocono Open ‘Cap two starts ago.

Token Favorite (Driver TBA, post six) crushed a central Jersey Invitational crowd in his most recent effort, while Happy Together N (Driver TBA, post one) stops by after tiring to fourth (at 7-10) in that same event.

Falcon’s Blue Jean (Mark Beckwith, post eight) requalified after suffering a relapse of an irregular heartbeat in his last parimutuel try (DNF here at 1-2 two weeks ago).

Saturday’s evening simulcast schedule includes the Meadows (post time 5:00), Vernon (6:30), Meadowlands (7:00), Northfield (7:00), Buffalo (7:30), Hazel (7:40) and Pocono (7:45).

As usual, Yonkers is offering wagering on Saturday’s 136th running of the Belmont Stakes. Advanced wagering begins Friday afternoon. Belmont’s first Saturday post is 12 Noon, with Yonkers’ gates opening at 11:00 a.m.

After this Friday’s evening card, Yonkers continues its Friday 12 Noon first post through July 23. Mondays, Tuesdays and Saturdays remain at the usual 7:40 p.m. first post.

Afternoon simulcasting continues to be offered around the NYRA schedule, while the Raceway is open for Friday evening simulcasting after High Noon live cards.

June’s evening/harness simulcast schedule includes Balmoral Park, Buffalo Raceway, Hazel Park, Maywood Park, Meadowlands, the Meadows, Monticello Raceway, Northfield Park, Penn National, Pocono Downs, Pompano Park, Raceway Park, Rockingham Park, Rosecroft Raceway, Saratoga Raceway, Scioto Downs and Vernon Downs.

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