The Grand Circuit's weekly overview highlights its upcoming races at Yonkers Raceway.
This Week: Blue Chip Matchmaker and MGM Borgata Pacing Series third legs, MGM Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, New York. This is the opening event of the 2024 Grand Circuit season.
Schedule of Events: The Grand Circuit at Yonkers features three $40,000 USD divisions on Friday, March 29 in the third round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for open pacing mares. The Monday, April 1 card at Yonkers will have three $50,000 USD divisions in the third 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 22.
Complete entries for the races can be found on the U.S. Trotting Association website.
Last Time: Desperate Man and Rocknroll Runa A improved to two-for-two in this year's MGM Borgata Pacing Series by taking their respective $67,568 divisions of the second leg on Monday night (March 25) at MGM Yonkers Raceway. Collecting wins in the other sections were Dunkin and Whats Stanley Got A. Click here for a complete recap.
The Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for pacing mares continued on Friday, March 22 at MGM Yonkers Raceway with no repeat winners in the second leg. Click here for a complete recap.
Grand Circuit Standings: In 2024, 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 2024 Grand Circuit awards.
Here are the leaders (through the races on March 25, 2024):
Drivers: 1t. Jordan Stratton – 36; 1t. Matt Kakaley – 36; 3. Yannick Gingras – 35; 4. Scott Zeron – 30; 5. George Brennan – 27.
Trainers: 1. Cory Stratton – 29; 2. Jeff Gillis – 27; 3. Travis Alexander – 26; 4. Michael Burke – 25; 5. Larry Stalbaum – 20.
Owners: 1. Mark Ford – 27; 2t. Kathy Cecchin – 20; 2t. Larry Stalbaum – 20; 4t. Betty Clegg – 12; 4t. Goy Corbeil – 12.
Looking Ahead: After this weekend, Grand Circuit action will continue with legs of the Blue Chip Matchmaker and MGM Borgata over the next two weeks. The finals for both events will be held on April 22.
(Grand Circuit)