The Grand Circuit's weekly overview highlights its upcoming races at Yonkers Raceway.
This Week: Blue Chip Matchmaker and MGM Borgata Pacing Series fifth 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 two $40,000 USD divisions on Friday, April 12 in the fifth round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for open pacing mares. The Monday, April 15 card at Yonkers will have three $50,000 USD divisions in the fifth 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 United States Trotting Association website.
Last Time: Desperate Man, Pleaseletmeknow and Backstreet Shadow gave driver Matt Kakaley and trainer Travis Alexander victories in the three $67,568 divisions of the fourth round of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series that were held at MGM Yonkers Raceway on Monday night, April 8. To read the complete recap, click here.
Mikala, driven by George Brennan, marched to the front past the quarter and never looked back on the way to her second victory in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series, scoring as the favourite in the first of two $54,054 divisions of the fourth leg on Friday, April 5 at MGM Yonkers Raceway. To read the complete recap, click here.
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 April 8, 2024):
Drivers: 1. Matt Kakaley – 78; 2. Yannick Gingras – 59.5; 3. Jordan Stratton – 53; 4. George Brennan – 49; 5. Scott Zeron – 40.
Trainers: 1. Travis Alexander – 68; 2. Cory Stratton – 43; 3. Michael Burke – 42.5; 4. Jeff Gillis – 42; 5. Linda Toscano –30.
Owners: 1. Mark Ford – 42; 2. Kathy Cecchin – 40; 3. Guy Corbeil – 27; 4t. Larry Stalbaum – 22; 4t. Betty Clegg – 22.
Looking Ahead: After this weekend, Grand Circuit action will continue with the finals of the Blue Chip Matchmaker and MGM Borgata on April 22.
(Grand Circuit)