Coaches Corner wins $250,000 MGM Grand Prix Pace

MGM Yonkers Raceway’s leading driver Jason Bartlett and top harness racing trainer Per Engblom put a bow on their season by winning the $250,000 MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series final on Friday afternoon (Dec. 19) with Coaches Corner (Always A Virgin) in 2:23.1 for the mile and a quarter.

Huntinthelastdolar (Tyler Buter) fired out from post eight and led early, but he would be passed by a two-wide Calicojack Hanover (Daniel Dube) before the :28 second opening quarter, and then Calicojack Hanover yielded to sit behind favorite Captain Albano (Todd McCarthy) past that marker.

Captain Albano went on to the half in :57 seconds as Redwood Hanover (Yannick Gingras) began the outer flow from fourth. He was tracked by Catalpa Rescue A (Matt Kakaley), Coaches Corner, Soho Firestone A (George Brennan) and Always A Thrill (Colin Kelly). Redwood Hanover could only get to Captain Albano’s wheel to three-quarters in 1:26.2, though, as Catalpa Rescue A went three-wide and Coaches Corner was sent out four-wide on the way to the 1:54.4 mile marker.

Coaches Corner advanced into second on the final bend and loomed to the outside of Captain Albano in the lane as McCarthy was urging Captain Albano along. It was Coaches Corner’s day, though, as he passed Captain Albano and went to the victory by over two lengths.

COACHES CORNER REPLAY

Captain Albano had to settle for second with Catalpa Rescue A, Redwood Hanover and Soho Firestone A third through fifth.

“I’m so proud of the boys and their performances,” said Engblom, who had Coaches Corner, Redwood Hanover and Huntinthelastdolar in the final. “Coaches Corner has stamina as his biggest strength and the added distance fit him perfectly. He’s still sharp after a long year.”

Trained by Engblom, Coaches Corner is a 5-year-old gelded son of Always A Virgin owned by Jeff Fought Racing and Brian Carsey. Bred in Indiana by Black Creek Farm and Hickory Hollow Stable, Coaches Corner made his 35th trip to the winner’s circle in his 92nd effort and he has now pocketed $1,483,987. He returned $9.16 to win and was atop a $17.80 exacta and an $82.96 trifecta.

The $100,000 MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series consolation was also won by Bartlett as Captain Moore A rallied by Verdun (Pat Lachance) out of the pocket in the stretch to prevail by three-quarters of a length in 2:26.3. Tip Top Cat (Gingras) came in third, followed by Endofstory (Brennan) and Sherlock N (Jim Marohn Jr.).

Captain Moore A is a 4-year-old gelding by Soho Lanikai and is trained by Scott Blackler for owner Chad Kowal. Captain Moore A has a summary of 13-5-5 from 32 trips behind the gate, has banked $173,437 and paid $5.10 to win as the favorite. He led a $17.90 exacta and a $45.36 trifecta.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

From Yonkers Raceway