Post positions were drawn for the $250,000 USD finals of the MGM Grand Prix Trotting and Pacing Series finals, which will take place on Friday (Dec. 19) at MGM Yonkers Raceway over the distance of a mile and a quarter. The closing program of the meet, the action will get underway with an early post time of 2:15 p.m. (EST).
The trotters will be up first in race seven, and Sir Pinocchio, who was undefeated in the prelims, drew post three for 2025 Dan Patch Driver of the Year Jason Bartlett and trainer Ed Hart. Antognoni S and Take All Comers each went two-for-three in the win column during the series, and they will depart from posts two and nine, respectively. Co-owner Yannick Gingras drives Antognoni S for 2025 Dan Patch Trainer of the Year Ron Burke, and Todd McCarthy has the assignment behind Take All Comers, the defending series champion, for trainer Jim Campbell.
Here is the field in full. Note the difference in head number and post position for some horses as Antognoni S has an entrymate in Cecil Hanover.
$250,000 MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series Final - Race 7
Post-Head Number-Horse-Listed Driver-Trainer
- (2) Ari Ferrari J-Jason Bartlett-Tony Alagna
- (1) Antognoni S-Yannick Gingras-Ron Burke
- (3) Sir Pinocchio-Jason Bartlett-Ed Hart
- (4) Blackhawk Zette-Brent Holland-Robert Baggitt Jr.
- (5) Ultion Face S-Tyler Buter-Per Engblom
- (6) Asteroid-Colin Kelly-Enrico Robinson
- (7) Southwind Coors-George Brennan-Ron Burke
- (1A) Cecil Hanover-Dexter Dunn-Per Engblom
- (8) Take All Comers-Todd McCarthy-Jim Campbell
- (10) Dribbling Bi-Daniel Dube-Ron Coyne Jr.
Captain Albano (pictured above) will look to polish off a series sweep in the final for pacers, which is race eight on the card, from post four for driver Todd McCarthy and trainer Noel Daley. A two-time Dan Patch Award recipient, Captain Albano won the Aria Invitational at MGM Yonkers Raceway earlier this year. His competition includes a trio from the stable of leading trainer Per Engblom in Redwood Hanover (post two, Yannick Gingras), Huntinthelastdolar (post eight, Gingras also listed) and Coaches Corner (post nine, Jason Bartlett).
Here is the full in its entirety for the MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series final:
$250,000 MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series Final - Race 8
Post-Horse-Listed Driver-Trainer
- Catalpa Rescue A-Matt Kakaley-Scott Blackler
- Redwood Hanover-Yannick Gingras-Per Engblom
- Soho Firestone A-George Brennan-Doug Dilloian Jr.
- Captain Albano-Todd McCarthy-Noel Daley
- Calicojack Hanover-Daniel Dube-Luc Blais
- Spring Inhis Step A-Dexter Dunn-Enrico Robinson
- Mossdale Ben N-Jim Marohn Jr.-Peter Tritton
- Huntinthelastdolar-Yannick Gingras-Per Engblom
- Coaches Corner-Jason Bartlett-Per Engblom
- Always A Thrill-Colin Kelly-Nick Devita
In addition to the finals, there is a $100,000 USD MGM Grand Prix Trotting Series consolation, which is the fourth event on the program and a $100,000 USD MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series consolation, which will go as race six. Part of Friday's program, including the two series finals,will be nationally-televised during FOX Sports 2's America's Day at the Races broadcast.
MGM Yonkers Raceway kicks off closing week tonight (Dec. 15) at 6:45 p.m. (EST), and Tuesday through Thursday’s programs are also set to begin at the same time.
(MGM Yonkers Raceway)