Matchmaker and Borgata on tap in Grand Circuit

This Week: Blue Chip Matchmaker and MGM Borgata Pacing series fourth legs, Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, N.Y. This is the opening event of the 2022 Grand Circuit harness racing season.

Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit at Yonkers features three $40,000 divisions on Friday (April 8) in the fourth round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker series for open pacing mares. The Monday (April 11) card at Yonkers will see four $50,000 divisions in the fourth round of the MGM Borgata Pacing series for open pacers.

Each series offers five preliminary rounds leading to the finales, both set for Monday (April 25).

Complete entries for the races can be found by clicking on this link.

Last Time: Three longshots — Semi Tough, Poseidon Seelster, and Funatthebeach N — and two favorites — Leonidas A and Nicholas Beach — were victorious in the five $50,000 divisions of the third leg of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series on Monday night (April 4) at Yonkers Raceway.

Leonidas A was on time and on target in Monday night’s second section, winning in 1:51.2. Georgia Panagi photo.

Leonidas A (Austin Siegelman) missed out on racing last Monday when he was late for Lasix, but he was on time and on target in Monday night’s second section, winning in 1:51.2.

None Bettor A (Matt Kakaley) and Covered Bridge (Yannick Gingras) tussled for the early lead, with Covered Bridge wrestling away the front beyond a :26.2 opening quarter. Leonidas A was hot on Covered Bridge’s heels though, and Gingras and Covered Bridge yielded to sit in the pocket behind the 2-5 choice.

After he got to the engine, Leonidas A reached the half in :55.3 and the three-quarters in 1:23.3, and easily dealt with a first-over try by Sonny Weaver N (Tim Tetrick) in the third quarter and onto the last turn. In the lane Sonny Weaver N faded for good, allowing Covered Bridge to tip out of the pocket to try and mount a challenge to Leonidas A. It was to no avail, though, as Leonidas A had plenty left and prevailed by 1-1/2 lengths. Covered Bridge had to be satisfied with second and Im Sir Blake A (Marcus Miller) rallied for third.

The victorious 7-year-old gelding by Mach Three is trained by Sheena Cohen for owner Jesmeral Stable. Leonidas A made his 38th appearance in the winner’s circle and he has now pocketed $574,187. Leonidas A returned $2.80 to win.

Drama Act and Miss You N gave fans something to talk about with their heart pounding stretch drive. Drama Act would prevail in 1:52.4. Georgia Panagi photo.

If horseplayers were looking for drama, they found it Friday night (April 1) in the first of three $40,000 divisions in the third leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at Yonkers Raceway. Drama Act and George Brennan overtook pacesetter and 4-5 favorite Miss You N (Dexter Dunn) right on the wire after the pair engaged in a spirited duel through the final quarter. The Ron Burke-trained Drama Act put a nose in front late as the 8-5 second choice, stopping the clock in 1:52.4.

Brennan left the gate well with Drama Act this week, and she settled in fourth as first Keep Rockin A and then Miss You N exchanged the top. Miss You N controlled the action in :27.2 for the opening quarter and managed to rate a :56.3 half before pressure arrived.

Brennan sent Drama Act out at the half, and the Well Said-sired mare advanced with purpose on the backstretch, leaving second-over Bolt Of Beauty unable to maintain contact. A third quarter in :28 was paced by the leader, with Drama Act nose-to-nose with her through the final quarter. Both Brennan and Dunn asked the most of their respective charges, and on the wire Drama Act got the job done. Miss You N had to settle for second on this night, with Bolt Of Beauty (Marcus Miller) third and early leader Keep Rockin A (Tim Tetrick) fourth in the field.

Owned by The OK Corral, Drama Act returned $5.20 to win

Complete recaps of all the races are available at the Grand Circuit website.

Grand Circuit Standings: In 2022, the Grand Circuit leaders in three categories (driver, trainer and owner) will once again be tracked on a points system (20-10-5 for the top three finishers in divisions/finals and 10-5-2 for the top three finishers in eliminations/legs). Winbak Farms is the sponsor for the 2022 Grand Circuit awards.

Here are the leaders (through the races on 4-4-22):

Drivers: 1. Jordan Stratton – 67; 2. Jason Bartlett – 54; 3. Dexter Dunn – 49; 4 Yannick Gingras – 44; 5. George Brennan – 38.

Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 70; 2t. Erv Miller – 37; 2t. Jen Bongiorno – 37; 4. Cory Stratton – 35; 5. Shane Tritton – 25.

Owners: 1. Team Tritton Inc. – 25; 2. The OK Corral – 22; 3t. Mystical Marker Farms – 20; 3t. Jesmeral Stable – 20; 5. Karen Hauver – 15.

Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will continue with the final leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker and MGM Borgata next week. The finals for both events will be held on April 25.

by Paul Ramlow, for The Grand Circuit