With the National Hockey League regular season wrapping up and the playoffs on the horizon, it’s only fitting that harness racing driver Yannick Gingras netted a hat trick in round two of the John Brennan Trotting Series on Wednesday night (April 17) at MGM Yonkers Raceway.
Gingras and Sea Can (Muscle Mass) started off the five $25,000 divisions by winning the opener in 1:55.4. The lone non-repeater in the series, Sea Can is a 5-year-old gelding trained by Ron Burke for owners Burke Racing Stable LLC. and Weaver Bruscemi LLC., and he paid $2.70 to win as the 1-5 choice.
SEA CAN REPLAY
Burke and Gingras struck again later on the program when Warrawee Yang (Trixton) took command before the quarter and never looked back on his way to a 1:56.3 victory. Also owned by Burke Racing Stable LLC. and Weaver Bruscemi LLC., Warrawee Yang, who is now on a six-race win streak, is a 4-year-old and returned $2.20 to win as the 1-9 choice.
WARRAWEE YANG REPLAY
Tachyon (Muscle Hill) gave Gingras his third Brennan Series score when he took the fourth section in 1:55.2. Ricky Bucci trains Tachyon, a 5-year-old gelding for owner Flatland Racing. Tachyon paid $3.40 to win as the 3-5 favorite.
TACHYON REPLAY
Resolve To Win (Resolve) was sent off at 6-1 in the second split but led throughout from post seven and stopped the clock in 1:57. Tyler Buter drove the 4-year-old gelding for trainer Jeff Cullipher and owner Pollack Racing.
RESOLVE TO WIN REPLAY
In the final flight, 5-year-old Royalty For Life gelding Royalty Beer romped on the front-end in 1:55.3 for trainer/driver Pat Lachance and owner Jean-Francois Maguire. Royalty Beer paid $3.70 to win as the 4-5 choice.
ROYALTY BEER REPLAY
The John Brennan Trotting Series, which has one more prelim prior to the $55,000-added final on May 2, is named in honor of the longtime SOA of NY horsemen’s representative who passed away from complications of COVID-19 in March 2020. The series is for 3-year-olds and older who were non-winners of six pari-mutuel races or $200,000 through Feb. 1, 2024, with winners over $250,000 as of that date not eligible.
One of the biggest nights on the calendar at MGM Yonkers Raceway is ahead on Monday night (April 22) as the $457,000 MGM Borgata Pacing Series and $276,200 Blue Chip Matchmaker Series finals, plus their consolations, are scheduled to take place. Those competing are reminded 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’s 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.
Live racing is held at MGM Yonkers Raceway on a Monday-Friday basis with post time each night at 7 P.M. (EDT).
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting Results