This Week: Blue Chip Matchmaker and MGM Borgata Pacing series second leg, Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, N.Y.

Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit at Yonkers features three $35,000 divisions on Friday (March 19) in the second round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for open pacing mares. The Monday (March 22) card at Yonkers will see four $40,000 divisions in the second 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 19).

Last Time: Alexa Skye and driver Todd McCarthy served notice in the second of three $35,000 divisions of opening round action in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for pacing mares on Friday night (March 12) at Yonkers Raceway with a blistering 1:51.2 victory.

McCarthy took the 4-5 public choice to the lead shortly after the start, putting second-choice Seaswift Joy N, driven by his brother Andy, in the pocket. Alexa Skye dictated the pace, cutting the first two fractions in identical :28 quarters and keeping the abbreviated field of five at bay in the process.

Alexa Skye picked up the pace noticeably past the half and smoked her third quarter in :27.2, gaining ample separation on the field before marching home impressively with a :28 final kicker.

A four-year-old daughter of Somebeachsomewhere, Alexa Skye won for the first time since being purchased by trainer Jeff Cullipher, along with Pollack Racing, in February. Alexa Skye picked up her 13th victory overall and has now earned $174,890.

It was a chalky beginning to the 2021 MGM Borgata Series for free-for-all pacers on Monday night (March 15) at Yonkers Raceway as favourites delivered in four of the five $40,000 divisions.

Let It Ride N and driver Dexter Dunn began the proceedings, prevailing off a second-over trip at 1-5 to run his record in the United States to seven wins from seven starts.

Dunn brought Let It Ride N to the outside from fourth after the :56.4 half, and then picked up cover when This Is The Plan tipped out of the pocket beyond the 1:24.1 three-quarters. Dunn sent Let It Ride N three-wide on the far turn, and he kicked home strongly to win by a half-length in 1:52.2. This Is The Plan was the runner-up, and Rodeo Rock closed from sixth to third in the last quarter.

Richard “Nifty” Norman trains Let It Ride N, an eight-year-old gelding by Rock N Roll Heaven, for owners William Hartt and Enzed Racing Stable. Let It Ride N has won 25 times from 61 lifetime starts and he has now pocketed $395,958.

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

Grand Circuit Standings: In 2021, 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 2021 Grand Circuit awards.

Here are the leaders (through the races on 3-15-21):

Drivers: 1. Austin Siegelman – 22; 2 (tie). Andrew McCarthy – 20; 2 (tie). Todd McCarthy – 20; 4t. Dexter Dunn – 12; 4t. Tyler Buter -12.

Trainers: 1. Nifty Norman – 17; 2. Ron Burke – 15; 3 (tie). Todd Buter – 10; 3 (tie). Jeff Cullipher – 10; 3 (tie). Nancy Takter – 10.

Owners: 1 (tie). Bd Racing – 10; 1 (tie). Renee Bercury – 10; 1 (tie). Jesmeral Stable – 10; 4 (tie). Enzed Racing Stable – 7; 4 (tie). Eric Prevost – 7.

Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will continue with legs of the Blue Chip Matchmaker and MGM Borgata over the next three weeks. The finals for both events will be held on April 19.

(Grand Circuit)