On Tuesday, April 16, the post position draws took place for next Monday's finals of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series and Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at MGM Yonkers Raceway.
Desperate Man, former Horse of the Year and the leading point-earner in the Borgata prelims, landed post four in the open draw for driver Matt Kakaley, trainer Travis Alexander and owner Kathy Cecchin of Arthur, Ont., while Linedrive Hanover, who was second in the standings, got post two for driver Scott Zeron, trainer Linda Toscano and Canadian owners West Wins Stable, McKinlay & Fielding and Mac Nichol. The Borgata final will be race eight on the Monday, April 22 program and carries a purse of $457,000 USD.
Lit De Rose, whose 312 points topped the chart in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for trainer/driver Pat Lachance and owner/breeder Guy Corbeil of Mirabel, Que., grabbed the coveted pole position for the $276,200 USD final, which will be race seven on the 11-race card. Dougs Babe A, who was the runner-up in the Blue Chip Matchmaker rankings, will start from post four for driver Dexter Dunn and trainer Nifty Norman.
There is also an MGM Borgata Pacing Series consolation, which has a purse of $100,000 USD and is race six, and a $75,000 USD Blue Chip Matchmaker Series consolation in race five.
The full draws for the finals with listed drivers and trainers are as follows:
$457,000 USD MGM Borgata Pacing Series Final (Race 8)
Post - Horse - Listed Driver - Trainer
1 - Covered Bridge - Jordan Stratton - Jeff Gillis
2 - Linedrive Hanover - Scott Zeron - Linda Toscano
3 - Whats Stanley Got A - George Brennan - Cory Stratton
4 - Desperate Man - Matt Kakaley - Travis Alexander
5 - Hellabalou - Yannick Gingras - Ron Burke
6 - Coaches Corner - Jason Bartlett - Per Engblom
7 - Rocknroll Runa A - Mark MacDonald - Larry Stalbaum
8 - Dunkin - Tim Tetrick - Scott Di Domenico
AE - Backstreet Shadow - Matt Kakaley - Travis Alexander
$276,200 USD Blue Chip Matchmaker Series Final (Race 7)
Post - Horse - Listed Driver - Trainer
1 - Lit De Rose - Pat Lachance - Pat Lachance
2 - Coachellabound N - Yannick Gingras - Ricky Bucci
3 - Tonys Mom - Jason Bartlett - Per Engblom
4 - Dougs Babe A - Dexter Dunn - Nifty Norman
5 - Incaseyoudidntknow - Tim Tetrick - Cory Stratton
6 - Karma Seelster - Matt Kakaley - Andrew Adamczyk
7 - Mikala - George Brennan - Nik Drennan
8 - Delitfulcatherin N - Jordan Stratton - Jeff Gillis
AE - Racine Bell - Jason Bartlett - Dave Dewhurst
Those competing are advised that all horses in the Borgata final and its consolation and the Matchmaker final have to report for retention by 12 p.m. (EDT) on Monday, April 22. There will be no exceptions. Any horse which shows up late will be scratched. All horses that make the final of either race must race in that race.
Yonkers' Empire Terrace Dining Room will be open for ala carte dining on April 22. Dining service is available from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (EDT), and the bar is open from 6:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. (EDT). Call 914-457-2627 for reservations or details.
Live racing is held at Yonkers on a Monday to Friday basis with post time each night at 7 p.m. (EDT).
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)