The New York Sire Stakes program begins a month-long Yonkers Raceway invasion this week, leading up to the September 25th New York Night of Champions

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Thursday night, the $237,630 Jim Meagher Pace for two-year-old colts and geldings is served up in five courses. Named to honour the memory of Yonkers' long-time corporate controller, the event has three off-the-wagering-card divisions (post times 6, 6:15 and 6:30, respectively), along with races 4 and 6 on the betting program.

The first wagering division ($47,706) is led by Sir Ziggys Z Tam (Pat Lachance, post 6). The Art Major colt hits town off a pair of blowout NYSS wins (Monticello, Batavia), the latter in a snappy 1:55.2.

The second ($47,806) wagering Meagher menagerie includes Samandar (Cat Manzi, post 6), whose early statebred resume includes a win (Buffalo) and a trio of second-place efforts

We'd be remiss if we failed to mention a trio of Ken Jacobs-owned, Linda Toscano-trained, Jason Bartlett-driven "beasts" in the non-wagering events, starting with Thomas J (post 2), moving to Major Way (post 7) and ending with Flipper J (post 4). The trio is a combined 14-for-17 thus far, with each having earned more than $50,000.

"They've all been very handy, all getting better with each start," Bartlett said.

Friday night is the rechristened Dick McGuire Trot for three-year-old colts and geldings. The event, worth a total of $283,848, has been drawn and quartered (races 4,5,7 & 9), with each worth $70,962.

McGuire, a basketball Hall of Famer, member of the New York Knicks' organization for more than a half-century--and devout horse player--died this past February at the age of 84.

Early favourites include Whata Winner (Jim Doherty, post 4) in the first event, Celebrity Bluechip (Bartlett, post 2) in the second division, Strong Hope (Jim Morrill Jr., post 8) in the third group and defending sire stakes champ Blacktuxwhitesocks (Jeff Gregory, post 8) in the final event.

All four have earned in excess of six figures this season.

"He's been good for two seasons." Gregory said " He hasn't thrown a bad race yet, but he's going to have to be real good (Friday)."

"Blacktux," a son of Credit Winner who has won six of his 10 seasonal starts, including his last three.

Next week's NYSS events include the Mike Cohen Pace (2YO fillies) Monday, the Scarsdale Trot (3YO fillies) Tuesday and the Tuckahoe Pace (2YO colts/geldings) Thursday.

The New York Night of Champions offers a total of $1.4 million for eight divisional finals (fast math, $175,000 per), remains the richest night of harness racing in the state.

(Yonkers)