The Grand Circuit's weekly overview highlights the 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 2022 Grand Circuit season.
Schedule of Events: The Grand Circuit at Yonkers features three $40,000 divisions on Friday (April 1) in the third round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker series for open pacing mares. The Monday (April 4) card at Yonkers will see five $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 25).
Last Time: Nandolo N repeated his first leg victory, Scott Zeron guided Whichwaytothebeach and American Dealer N to triumphs, Ostro Hanover pulled off a major upset, and Jacks Legend N turned a pocket trip off hot fractions into a win in the five $50,000 divisions of the second round of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series on Monday night (March 28) at Yonkers Raceway.
Following a nose loss in the first leg, Racine Bell came to play in the second round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series and obliterated her rivals, overcoming post seven and powering off to a 1:51.4 victory in the first of four $40,000 divisions Friday night (March 25) at Yonkers Raceway.
Grand Circuit Standings: In 2022, 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 2022 Grand Circuit awards.
Here are the leaders (through the races on March 28, 2022):
Drivers: 1. Jordan Stratton – 40; 2. Jason Bartlett – 37; 3. Dexter Dunn – 34; 4. Marcus Miller – 33; 5. Yannick Gingras – 27.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 43; 2. Erv Miller – 33; 3. Cory Stratton – 30; 4. Jen Bongiorno – 22; 5. Shane Tritton – 20.
Owners: 1t. Mystical Marker Farms – 20; 1t. Team Tritton Inc. – 20; 3. The OK Corral – 12. 4t. (eight owners are tied for fourth with 10).
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 25.
(With files from Grand Circuit)