Yonkers Raceway has $400,000 in stakes up for grabs on Saturday evening, with eight, $50,000 events for New York-breds on the program
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The Fall Harvest Series is comprised of divisions for two and three-year-olds of both sexes and gaits, and contains contestants who - either by points or by condition - were not eligible to compete in last weekend's New York Night of Champions. The Fall Harvest races are Nos. 2 through 9 on the 13-race card, and feature any number of standout statebreds.
Among the roster is the pacing gelding Townslight Hanover, a sire stakes divisional champion a season ago at two, and City Delight, a three-year-old pacing filly who shares a place in the local record book alongside names like See You at Peelers and Handsoffmycookie.
Saturday also offers something unique, with Yonkers presenting its first-ever exhibition of racing under saddle ("post time" is 6 p.m.).
The seven-horse, 9/16-mile event--using Yonkers' regular mobile starting car--features all ladies at the controls, with (alphabetically) Jennifer Connor, Noelle Duspiva, Lindsey Greene, Helene Gregory (wife of Yonkers' driver, Jeff), Jennifer Lowry, Nicole Mellberg and Sarah Waddon sitting atop trotters.
"We’d like to see this competition catch on in the U.S.,” Ms. Gregory said. "It's huge over in Europe, especially in France and Sweden. A lot of trainers here work their horses under saddle, and they say it makes them happier. All of us take it very seriously, but we really enjoy it. We're looking forward to visiting Yonkers."
(Yonkers Raceway)