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, Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, New York. This is the opening event of the 2023 Grand Circuit season.
Schedule of Events: The Grand Circuit at Yonkers features three $40,000 divisions on Friday, March 31 in the third round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for open pacing mares. The Monday, April 3 card at Yonkers will have four $50,000 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 24.
Complete entries for the races can be found on the USTA website.
Last Time: The second leg of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series for free-for-allers was conducted on a rain-soaked and sloppy MGM Yonkers Raceway on Monday night (March 27), and Idealsomemagic A and Tattoo Artist shared top honours on the program by each turning in a 1:51.2 mile in their respective $50,000 tests. The other divisions went to Lochinvar Art A and Jimmy Freight. For a complete recap, click here.
Racine Bell and driver Jason Bartlett found room to the inside in the stretch and forged to the front late to capture her $40,000 second-leg division of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at MGM Yonkers Raceway on Friday night (March 24). A six-year-old mare by So Surreal, Racine Bell scored in 1:52.3 and became harness racing’s newest millionaire with the victory. For a complete recap, click here.
For a list of 2023 race winners on the Grand Circuit, click here.
Grand Circuit Standings: In 2023, 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 2023 Grand Circuit awards.
Here are the leaders (through the races on March 27, 2023):
Drivers: 1. Yannick Gingras – 35; 2. Jordan Stratton – 31; 3. Scott Zeron – 25; 4. Matt Kakaley – 24; 5. Jason Bartlett – 22.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 30; 2t. Cory Stratton – 25; 2t. Linda Toscano – 25; 2t. Shane Tritton – 25; 5. Jared Bako – 17.
Owners: 1. Team Tritton Inc. – 20; 2t. Flatland Racing – 15; 2t. The OK Corral – 15; 4. Jesmeral Stable – 12; 5. Let It Ride Stables – 10.8.
Looking Ahead: 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 24.
(Grand Circuit)