Completed drawings for the Borgata and Matchmaker Series finals
The post position draws for the MGM Borgata Pacing Series and Blue Chip Matchmaker Series harness racing finals at MGM Yonkers Raceway on Monday, April 22, took place on Tuesday afternoon, April 16.
Leading point-scorer in the Borgata preliminary round, Desperate Man, was assigned post four in the open draw for driver Matt Kakaley and trainer Travis Alexander, while second-place finisher in the standings, Linedrive Hanover, was assigned post two for driver Scott Zeron and trainer Linda Toscano. On the 11-race schedule, the MGM Borgata Pacing Series final is the eighth event with a $457,00 purse.
After finishing first on the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series points chart with 312 points for trainer/driver Pat Lachance, Lit De Rose won the coveted pole position for the $276,200 final, which will be the seventh race on the program. For driver Dexter Dunn and trainer Nifty Norman, Dougs Babe A, the runner-up in the Blue Chip Matchmaker rankings, will start from post four.
In addition, there is a $75,000 Blue Chip Matchmaker Series consolation in race five and a $100,000 MGM Borgata Pacing Series consolation in race six.
The following are the complete final draws, which include the drivers and trainers listed:
$457,000 MGM Borgata Pacing Series final (race eight) Post-Horse-Sire-Driver-Trainer 1-Covered Bridge (American Ideal)-Jordan Stratton-Jeff Gillis 2-Linedrive Hanover (Betting Line)-Scott Zeron-Linda Toscano 3-Whats Stanley Got A (Heston Blue Chip)-George Brennan-Cory Stratton 4-Desperate Man (Shadow Play)-Matt Kakaley-Travis Alexander 5-Hellabalou (Sweet Lou)-Yannick Gingras-Ron Burke 6-Coaches Corner (Always A Virgin)-Jason Bartlett-Per Engblom 7-Rocknroll Runa A (Rock N Roll Hanover)-Mark MacDonald-Larry Stalbaum 8-Dunkin’ (Pet Rock)-Tim Tetrick-Scott Di Domenico AE-Backstreet Shadow-Matt Kakaley-Travis Alexander
$276,200 Blue Chip Matchmaker Series final (race seven) Post-Horse-Sire – Driver-Trainer 1-Lit De Rose (Leader Bayama)-Pat Lachance-Pat Lachance 2-Coachellabound N (Sweet Lou)-Yannick Gingras-Ricky Bucci 3-Tony’s Mom (Heston Blue Chip)-Jason Bartlett-Per Engblom 4-Dougs Babe A (Western Terror)-Dexter Dunn-Nifty Norman 5-Incaseyoudidntknow (Aways B Miki)-Tim Tetrick-Cory Stratton 6-Karma Seelster (Sportswriter)-Matt Kakaley-Andrew Adamczyk 7-Miakla (Always B Miki)-George Brennan-Nik Drennan 8-Delitfulcatherin N (Bettor’s Delight)-Jordan Stratton-Jeff Gillis AE-Racine Bell-Jason Bartlett-Dave Dewhurst
All competing horses are instructed to report for retention by 12:00 P.M. (EDT) on Monday, April 22, 2024, for the MGM Borgata final and its consolation as well as the Blue Chip Matchmaker final. There won't be any waivers. A late arrival horse will be scratched. Every horse that qualifies for either race's final has to compete in that race.
Additionally, MGM Yonkers Raceway is happy to announce that on April 22, the Empire Terrace Dining Room will open for ala carte dining. The bar is open from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. (EDT), and dining service is provided from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. (EDT). Contact 914-457-2627 for information or bookings.
Wednesday night, April 17, at Yonkers, there will be five $25,000 divisions in the second leg of the John Brennan Trotting Series, marking the return of stakes action.