New York State’s top two and three-year-old pacers and trotters have less than seven weeks to earn a spot in one of the eight $225,000 Finals of the New York Sire Stakes on the Night of Champions at Yonkers Raceway September 22nd.

Beginning Wednesday evening with two-year-old filly pacers competing in three divisions at Vernon Downs, there are Sire Stakes races on 10 of the next 12 days at six different tracks.

The Night of Champions is unique because horses earn their way in by accumulating points throughout the summer in eight legs. Points are distributed in the same percentages as purse money: 50 to the winner, 25 for second, 12 for third, 8 for fourth and 5 for fifth.

The top eight in each division earn a berth in the $225,000 Final, while the next eight in the standings compete the following Saturday night at Yonkers in the Fall Harvest.

A single point could determine whether or not a horse qualifies for the $225,000 Final, and some of the divisions are incredibly close. Through Tuesday in the three-year-old trotting filly division, three fillies, Whimzical Britt, Miss Fidget and Montana Skies, are tied for eighth with 75 points with a fourth filly, Steuben Lone Pine, just a point behind with 74.

For all of the up-to-date NYSS point standings, click here.

(NYSS)