Barnsdale/McEvoy select Borgata/Matchmaker winners

The harness racing season . up with the first major Grand Circuit stakes races of the year Monday (April 22) at Yonkers Raceway. Total purses for the evening are just over $1 million

And handicapping the four stakes races will be Harnesslink’s own Garnet Barnsdale and former Harnesslink reporter, now handicapper for Pocono Downs, Brian McEvoy.

The Blue Chip Matchmaker final slots in as race 7 on the Yonkers Racing card Monday (April 22) and carries a purse of $276,000. The MGM Borgata Pacing final is race 8 and carries a purse of $457,000.  There are also two $100,000 consolation races in races 5 and 6.

“I am very happy we got the rail in the draw,” said Pat Lachance, trainer and driver for Lit De Rose. “I would like to be on top or close to the lead. She is as sharp and good as she has ever been. I fear Mikala even though she drew the 7 post,” said Lachance.

“She is a very handy horse,” said Yannick Gingras, the driver of Coachhellabound N. “There is no strategy going into the race. We have to see how the race unfolds,” commented Gingras.

“Lit De Rose and Mikala are the horses to beat,” said Gingras.

A showdown looms in the final of the MGM Borgata between Desperate Man and Linedrive Hanover. In the first elimination race, Desperate Man got the better of Linedrive Hanover early in the series, winning by a close 3/4 of a length. Linedrive Hanover has won three divisions races in handy fashion.

Desperate Man has remained undefeated winning four divisions. Post position will be a huge factor with Linedrive Hanover (post 2) drawing inside of Desperate Man (post 4).

“I was happy to draw inside of Desperate Man. Linedrive has developed into a great half mile racing specialist.” stated Linedrive Hanover driver Scott Zeron.

“I can’t leave anything to chance. These are all great horses in this series, anything can happen in this race,” commented Zeron.

Here are the selections and comments on the four stakes races Monday at Yonkers Raceway.

RACE 5 – $100,000 Blue Chip Matchmaker Consolation

Garnet Barnsdale Selections

3 – Racine Bell is the best mare in here and she should be able to easily clear to the front. That should make her very hard to beat. She will be a single on the first many Pick 5 tickets.

6 – Man Dontforget Me paced a big back 1/2 in defeat last week and she is a good one to use to complete the Exacta in this spot.

4 – Easy To Please will likely lay closer to the front this week and that should help her finish in the money.

Brian McEvoy Selections

3-Racine Bell will be on the engine early. The classy millionaire mare was able to hold off Lit De Rose on April 5th for the victory. Her form appears to be on the improve since the beginning of the year.

4-Easy To Please has shown a strong finishing kick. She should hope for fast fractions in the race, using her strong finishes to her advantage.

6-Man Dontforget Me will need a perfect pilot by Dexter Dunn to pull the upset.

Racine Bell Replay

RACE 6 – $100,000 MGM Borgata Consolation

Garnet Barnsdale Selections

3- Backstreet Shadow draws perfectly here for a big speed try and Tetrick will likely look to send him right down the road.

1- Funatthebeach A showed on April 8th that he can leave the gate as fast as any. He could get a great following trip here and add some value to the Exacta.

(4) Pleaseletmeknow, stablemate to the choice, hasn’t missed the board in this series and that trend should continue here.

Brian McEvoy Selections

3-Backstreet Shadow – I am expecting several horses trying for the lead. Backstreet Shadow has been sharp in his last two races. I expect him to be close to the lead and come home strong.

4-Pleaseletmeknow’s last race was a disappointment. Two races back he was very strong going to the half in 54.1, in victory. Which horse shows up?

5-Sumomentsomwhere A was first over versus Desperate Man in last elim. He was second to Linedrive Hanover two races back. He has greatly improved since last year for Ron Burke.

Backstreet Shadow Replay

RACE 7 – $276,200 Blue Chip Matchmaker Pacing Series Final

Garnet Barnsdale Selections

1 – Lit De Rose became a millionaire last week when she won from the rail and she is the one to beat drawing best again in this Matchmaker Final.

7 – Mikala hasn’t closed at odds higher than even money in any leg of this series, but she will surely offer a price tonight. She could be the value of the race.

4 – Doug’s Babe A fires home quickly every week. She should be coming on late again for at least a share tonight.

Brian McEvoy Selections

1-Hard to go against Lil De Rose with the rail tonight. Is anybody going to contest her after she gets to top?

4-Dougs Babe A was a strong first over second to Lit De Rose. He could pull the upset with a good trip.

2-Never count out any horse with Gingras driving. Coachhellabound N has put together two strong seconds and a win in his last 3 races.

Lit De Rose Replay

RACE 8 – $457,000 MGM Borgata Pacing Series Final

Garnet Barnsdale Selections

2 – Linedrive Hanover outdraws his main rival here and Zeron will likely use that post advantage to take no prisoners in this lucrative Borgatta final.

4 – Desperate Man is perfect in this series leading to the final and he beat the choice on March 25th. If he is allowed to clear to the front, he will be very tough to overhaul.

5 – Hellabalou upset in the final of this race last year at a big price and there are worse 12 to 1 morning line horses that you could land on.

 Brian McEvoy Selections

2-Look for Linedrive Hanover to get the jump on Desperate Man tonight. Whoever gets to the top will have a big advantage tonight. Linedrive came home in sharp 27 in last elim.

4-Hard to pick against Desperate Man, either one of these two can win. Matt Kakaley has been super driving him to 4 wins a row.

6-Coaches Corner has to hope Linedrive Hanover and Desperate Man go after each other. He has the finishing kick to upset if the race sets up for him.

Desperate Man Replay

From Harnesslink Media