The Grand Circuit's weekly overview highlights the upcoming races at Yonkers Raceway.
This Week: Blue Chip Matchmaker and MGM Borgata Pacing series second 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 four $40,000 divisions on Friday (March 25) in the second round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker series for open pacing mares. The Monday (March 28) card at Yonkers will feature five $50,000 divisions in the second 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: It was a chalk-filled start to the 2022 MGM Borgata on Monday night (March 21) at Yonkers Raceway, as the public choice won all five $50,000 divisions for free-for-allers, starting with defending champion This Is The Plan scoring in 1:51.3.
Making his seven-year-old debut, This Is The Plan (Yannick Gingras) had to work a bit to clear Chase H Hanover (Dexter Dunn), but was able to do so well before a :28.2 opening quarter. From there, This Is The Plan maintained command and stayed clear through a :57.1 half and 1:24.2 three-quarters, and he would sprint home in :27.1 to beat Chase H Hanover by 2-3/4 lengths. Sonny Weaver N (Tim Tetrick) was third after a mild first-over bid in the last three-eighths of the mile.
Ron Burke trains This Is The Plan, a gelding by Somebeachsomewhere, for owners Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi, J&T Silva- Purnel & Libby, and Larry Karr. This Is The Plan is now a 21-time winner, and he pushed his bankroll to $2,661,242.
Drama Act was a dominant winner in the first of four $40,000 divisions in the opening round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker for pacing mares at Yonkers Raceway on Friday night (March 18). The Burke-trained mare led virtually wire-to-wire for driver George Brennan and sprinted a final quarter in :27 at the end of the 1:52.2 mile.
The Bethinator and Lit De Rose left inside of Drama Act, with Lit De Rose securing the front for trainer/driver Pat Lachance late on the opening bend. Brennan had Drama Act move alertly to take command before the quarter, and the pair were able to set fractions of :27.2 and :57.2 for the opening half with little movement.
The Bethinator (Tetrick) tried to attack without cover going to the three-quarters, but Drama Act flashed through a 1:25.2 three-quarters and marched away from all her rivals. Lit De Rose was clear for second, with 46-1 shot La Bella Vita N (Marcus Miller) finishing third.
The OK Corral owns Drama Act, a five-year-old daughter of Well Said that won for the 23rd time in her career.
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 21, 2022):
Drivers: 1. Dexter Dunn – 22; 2. Jordan Stratton – 20; 3. Yannick Gingras – 17; 4. Jason Bartlett – 15; 5t. Marcus Miller – 14; 5t. George Brennan – 14.
Trainers: 1. Ron Burke – 31; 2. Cory Stratton – 15; 3. Erv Miller – 14; 4. Jennifer Bongiorno – 12; 5t. Ricky Bucci – 10; 5t. Chris Choate – 10; 5t. Shane Tritton – 10; 5t. Sheena Cohen – 10.
Owners: 1t. Ricky Bucci – 10; 1t. Mystical Marker Farms – 10; 1t. Jesmeral Stable – 10; 1t. Team Tritton Inc. – 10; 1t. Robert Devine – 10; 1t. The OK Corral – 10.
Looking Ahead: Grand Circuit action will continue with legs of the Blue Chip Matchmaker and MGM Borgata over the next three weeks. The finals for both events will be held on April 25.
(With files from Grand Circuit)