Four $50,000 USD divisions of the first round of the MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series will headline the Monday, Nov. 24 program at MGM Yonkers Raceway.
The last section has Miki Shan N (PP1, Colin Kelly), who raced in the MGM Borgata Pacing Series earlier this year before moving to the Maritimes and going undefeated in 10 starts, including the Gold Cup and Saucer, Governor's Cup and Premier's Cup. Trained by Deborah Daguet, the six-year-old is 13-for-22 this year. Three-year-old New York Sire Stakes Final runner-up Courts On Fire (Yannick Gingras) has post six in his first start for trainer Ron Burke.
Two-time Dan Patch Award recipient Captain Albano headlines the first grouping with Todd McCarthy listed to drive the Noel Daley trainee from post four. In an appearance at Yonkers earlier this year, he won the Aria Invitational Pace on International Trot Day. His competition includes Huntinthelastdolar (PP3, Jason Bartlett), who won two legs of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series for trainer Per Engblom and was fourth in the final back in the spring at Yonkers.
Mossdale Ben N (PP7, Jordan Stratton), the 2025 MGM Borgata Pacing Series champion, is the big name in the second division as he makes his debut for trainer Peter Tritton. Determination's Calicojack Hanover (PP1, Daniel Dube) ships south from Woodbine Mohawk Park. The Luc Blais-trained four-year-old won the Charles Juravinski Memorial Cup over the half-mile oval at Flamboro Downs back in May.
Coaches Corner, who was second in the final of this series a last year, returns to Yonkers in the third flight. Bartlett is listed to drive the five-year-old from post two for Engblom. He'll face the likes of $2.3 million earner Desperate Man (PP5, Matt Kakaley), trained by Travis Alexander, and Verdun (PP3, Pat Lachance), who was third in the MGM Borgata Pacing Series Final in May.
Below are the full fields for Monday's MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series action.
Division #1 - Race 3
Post - Horse - Listed Driver - Trainer
1. Tip Top Cat - Yannick Gingras - Ron Burke
2. Jamaican Rock A - Todd McCarthy - Scott Blackler
3. Huntinthelastdolar - Jason Bartlett - Per Engblom
4. Captain Albano - Todd McCarthy - Noel Daley
5. Nandolo N - Lauren Tritton - Shane Tritton
6. Whats Stanley Got A - Jordan Stratton - Cory Stratton
7. Funtime Bayama - Jason Bartlett - Andrew Harris
8. Soho Dow Jones A - George Brennan - Doug Dilloian Jr.
Division #2 - Race 5
Post - Horse - Listed Driver - Trainer
1. Calicojack Hanover - Daniel Dube - Luc Blais
2. Soho Firestone A - George Brennan - Doug Dilloian Jr.
3. Catalpa Rescue A - Todd McCarthy - Scott Blackler
4. Always A Thrill - Colin Kelly - Nick Devita
5. Racing Rebel - Yannick Gingras - Ron Burke
6. Racing Rampage - Ridge Warren - Travis Alexander
7. Mossdale Ben N - Jordan Stratton - Peter Tritton
8. Redwood Hanover - Jason Bartlett - Per Engblom
Division #3 - Race 7
Post - Horse - Listed Driver - Trainer
1. Tenzing Bromac N - Ron Cushing - Heidi Cushing
2. Coaches Corner - Jason Bartlett - Per Engblom
3. Verdun - Pat Lachance - Pat Lachance
4. Blazing Home N - Mark MacDonald - Larry Stalbaum
5. Desperate Man - Matt Kakaley - Travis Alexander
6. American Dealer N - Daniel Dube - Linda Toscano
7. Sherlock N - Jim Marohn Jr. - Peter Tritton
8. Endofstory - Jason Bartlett - Doug Dilloian Jr.
Division #4 - Race 9
Post - Horse - Listed Driver - Trainer
1. Miki Shan N - Colin Kelly - Deborah Daguet
2. El Rey - Jason Bartlett - Andrew Harris
3. The Greek Freak - Matt Kakaley - Travis Alexander
4. Aye Aye Captain N - Brent Holland - Ricky Bucci
5. Spring Inhis Step A - Todd McCarthy - Jeff Cullipher
6. Courts On Fire - Yannick Gingras - Ron Burke
7. Captain Moore A - Matt Kakaley - Scott Blackler
8. Hemsworth N - Austin Siegelman - Jared Bako
Monday will be the first of three MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series prelims, with the second round on Monday, Dec. 1 and the third leg on Monday, Dec. 8. Points for the series will be earned on a 50-25-12-8-5 scale based on finishing order.
The top 10 point earners get a spot in the $250,000 USD final, to be contested over 1-1/4 miles on Friday, Dec. 19, while the next 10 point earners go in the $75,000 USD consolation over the same distance on the same card. A horse must race in all three legs to be eligible for the final and the consolation.
Yonkers is currently operating on a Monday-through-Friday live racing schedule with post time each night at 6:45 p.m.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)