The stage is now set for the third round of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series, slated to unfold at MGM Yonkers Raceway on Monday, April 1st. A total of 22 horses have been confirmed, split into three USD 50,000 divisions.
Following their impressive performances last night, Desperate Man and Rocknroll Runa both clinched their second consecutive victories in the series. They are poised to clash for the first time in the upcoming featured third segment. Joining them will be Whats Stanley Got A, another triumphant contender from the second leg, and Covered Bridge, who emerged victorious in the initial round.
Linedrive Hanover, starting from post six, has secured a victory and a second place in the MGM Borgata Pacing Series so far. He emerges as the prominent contender once again in the first of Monday's competitions. Funatthebeach N, the reigning champion of the 2022 MGM Borgata Pacing Series, will start from post four after putting up a valiant second-place finish in his recent race. He aims to uphold his performance against Linedrive Hanover.
Dunkin, positioned at post one, clinched a victory in his division during the second leg and sets his sights on another triumph in the second flight of the third round. Among the competitors in this race is the defending MGM Borgata Pacing Series champion, Hellabalou, starting from post seven, alongside Backstreet Shadow at post six, who is making only his second appearance in 2024's betting pools.
Here's a comprehensive overview of the fields for each division:
Division 1 (Race 5)
Post - Horse - Listed Driver - Trainer
- Coaches Corner - Jason Bartlett - Per Engblom
- Leonidas A - Austin Siegelman - Matthew Medeiros
- Sumomentsomwhere A - Yannick Gingras - Mickey Burke Jr.
- Funatthebeach N - Jordan Stratton - Jeff Gillis
- Strengthfromabove - Jordan Stratton - Besim Odza
- Linedrive Hanover - Scott Zeron - Linda Toscano
- Magic Four N - Todd McCarthy - Brett Pelling
- Venturesome Arden N - George Brennan - Ricky Bucci
Division 2 (Race 8)
Post - Horse - Listed Driver - Trainer
- Dunkin - Tim Tetrick - Scott Di Domenico
- Torrid Saint A - Matthew Athearn - Jimmy Nickerson
- Fourever Boy - Scott Zeron - Linda Toscano
- I Did It Myway - Tim Tetrick - Chuck Crissman Jr.
- Naturally Gifted A - Todd McCarthy - Tahnee Camilleri
- Backstreet Shadow - Matt Kakaley - Travis Alexander
- Hellabalou - Yannick Gingras - Mickey Burke Jr.
Division 3 (Race 9)
Post - Horse - Listed Driver - Trainer
- Thunder Hunter Joe - Tim Tetrick - Andrew Adamczyk
- Cranbourne N - Austin Siegelman - Matthew Medeiros
- Desperate Man - Matt Kakaley - Travis Alexander
- Whats Stanley Got A - George Brennan - Cory Stratton
- Semi Tough - Yannick Gingras - Mickey Burke Jr.
- Covered Bridge - Jordan Stratton - Jeff Gillis
- Rocknroll Runa A - Mark MacDonald - Larry Stalbaum
The preliminary round of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series persists until Monday, April 15, leading up to the highly anticipated USD 200,000 added final set for Monday, April 22. Notably, this year's final will introduce a "win and you're in" provision for the USD 125,000 Birthday Invitational Pace in May, commemorating 125 years of MGM Yonkers Raceway. Additionally, winners will secure spots in prestigious events such as the Battle of Lake Erie at MGM Northfield on June 8 and the Aria Invitational at Yonkers scheduled for September 7.
The Friday, March 29th program at MGM Yonkers Raceway will showcase three USD 40,000 divisions of the third leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for pacing mares. Among the highlights, the second flight promises an exciting showdown between preliminary winners Tonys Mom and Lit De Rose, while the finale sets the stage for a thrilling clash between Incaseyoudidntknow and Mikala. The initial rounds of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series will continue until Friday, April 12th, culminating in the highly anticipated USD 125,000 added final on Monday, April 22nd.
MGM Yonkers Raceway currently operates on a Monday-Friday live racing schedule, with post time set for 7 p.m. (EDT) each night.