The MGM Borgata Pacing Series enters its third leg on Monday night (April 4) at Yonkers Raceway with five $50,000 preliminary races. While the connections of the 33 horses signed on will be competing for valuable points to gain access to the April 25 final estimated to go for over $550,000, MGM Yonkers Raceway is also sweetening the pot.
The winner of the Borgata final will get an invitation to the $500,000 Aria Pace on October 15. The Aria is accompanied by the $500,000 Robert Miecuna Invitational Trot and the $1 million MGM Yonkers International Trot on what promises to be a spectacular day of racing.
“With five legs and a final, the Borgata is one of the most difficult stakes to win," said Joe Frasure, racing secretary at Yonkers. "We felt the Aria invitation was a nice bonus for the horse that was able to come out on top.”
Horses aren’t the only ones with a potential jackpot awaiting them on April 25. All fans who show up at Yonkers Raceway on Mondays during the final three legs of the Borgata Series – and wager at least $25 on the live card – have a chance to win a Borgata Grand Prize Package. The lucky winner will get a two-night stay at the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey along with $500 in free play and a $250 dining credit.
Those looking to get in on the Borgata action this Monday should arrive early. The third leg of the series kicks off in the first of 12 races at 6:55 p.m. with American History looking to pick up his first Borgata win of the year after suffering a narrow loss in round two. The eighth and ninth races shape up as the most anticipated of the night as first 2021 champion This Is The Plan tackles leg two winners Ostro Hanover and American Dealer N, and then multi-leg winner Nandolo N faces off versus Jacks Legend N and Whichwaytothebeach in race nine.
Fans on-track and off will be able to watch Hall of Fame Communicator Jay Bergman and Peter Venaglia discuss the Borgata races as well as the entire card each Monday night throughout the series. The duo will go over the races, offer handicapping advice and interview participants.
Yonkers management would like to alert fans, owners and the racing community that the Empire Terrace dining room will be open on April 25 for the MGM Borgata and Blue Chip Matchmaker finals. Details for making reservations and a full menu will be available soon.
Yonkers Raceway offers live racing Monday to Friday with a nightly post time of 6:55 p.m.
(Yonkers Raceway)