Borgata and Matchmaker Series finals draws complete

On Tuesday afternoon (April 16), the post position draws took place for next Monday’s (April 22) harness racing finals of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series and Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at MGM Yonkers Raceway.

Desperate Man, the leading point-earner in the Borgata prelims, landed post four in the open draw for driver Matt Kakaley and trainer Travis Alexander, while Linedrive Hanover, who was second in the standings, got post two for driver Scott Zeron and trainer Linda Toscano. The MGM Borgata Pacing Series final is race eight on the 11-race card and carries a purse of $457,000.

Lit De Rose, whose 312 points topped the chart in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for trainer/driver Pat Lachance, grabbed the coveted pole position for the $276,200 final, which will be race seven on the program. Dougs Babe A, who was the runner-up in the Blue Chip Matchmaker rankings, will start from post four for driver Dexter Dunn and trainer Nifty Norman.

There is also an MGM Borgata Pacing Series consolation, which has a purse of $100,000 and is race six, and a $75,000 Blue Chip Matchmaker Series consolation in race five.

The full draws for the finals with listed drivers and trainers are as follows:

$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

Those competing are advised that all horses in the MGM Borgata final and its consolation and the Blue Chip Matchmaker final have to report for retention by 12:00 P.M. (EDT) on Monday, April 22, 2024. There will be no exceptions. Any horse which shows up late will be scratched. All horses that make the final of either race must race in that race.

MGM Yonkers Raceway is also pleased to announce the Empire Terrace Dining Room will be open for ala carte dining on April 22. Dining service is available from 6:30 to 10:30 P.M. (EDT), and the bar is open from 6:30 to 11:30 P.M. (EDT). Call 914-457-2627 for reservations or details.

Stakes action at Yonkers resumes on Wednesday night (April 17) with five $25,000 divisions of the second leg of the John Brennan Trotting Series.

Live racing is held at MGM Yonkers Raceway on a Monday-Friday basis with post time each night at 7 P.M. (EDT).

From Yonkers Raceway