As spring approaches, MGM Yonkers Raceway launches its rich stakes schedule estimated at more than $5 million. Anchoring the early season offerings as the kick-off for the 2022 Grand Circuit is the 13th edition of the Blue Chip Matchmaker for older pacing mares and 34th MGM Borgata Series (formerly the George Morton Levy Memorial) for older male pacers.
A total of 80 horses were made eligible to the pair of events, with an even split for each. The 40 for the Blue Chip Matchmaker represents the highest total for the series in nearly a decade and a huge increase over the 22 made eligible in 2021.
“I am excited to kick off our MGM stakes races,” said Racing Secretary Joe Frasure, who took over the position in the fall of 2021. “I was very happy to see the rise in Blue Chip Matchmaker nominations and we have a good group for the Borgata as well.”
Both 2021 champions – This Is The Plan and Machnhope – were nominated and will be seeking encore performances. The former never finished worse than second in the five preliminary legs of the series last year and went wire-to-wire from post eight to capture the $514,000 Borgata final in a stakes record-equalling 1:50.4. Machnhope was a two-leg winner in 2021 before pulling off a mild 6-1 upset in 1:52.2 despite a first-over trip in the Matchmaker final.
The Borgata, which will be contested on six consecutive Mondays starting March 21, attracted a stellar group of talented half-milers. In addition to This Is The Plan, the all-time record-holder over a half-mile surface with a 1:47.3 clocking at MGM sister property Northfield Park, the series also includes Little Brown Jug winner Captain Barbossa and Breeders Crown winner and co-track record holder American History, who shares the Yonkers distinction with fellow Borgata eligible Tattoo Artist and the now retired Theartofconfusion A.
The list of Borgata-eligible notables is long with stakes winners Leonidas A and None Bettor A, both confirmed lovers of the Yonkers oval, in the group. Whichwaytothebeach, who won the Reynolds over the surface in 2021, is one of seven returning four-year-olds of the 40 entered.
The Blue Chip Matchmaker, also a five-leg series, begins on Friday, March 18 and includes not just reigning champion Machnhope but runner-up Blue Ivy and Alexa Skye, a four-leg winner in 2021 who finished fourth in the final. Racine Bell, a track record holder on the half at Batavia and multiple Open winner at Yonkers in 2021, is also signed on, along with last year’s Jugette winner Scarlett Hanover.
The Matchmaker and Borgata finals, which already have $285,000 and $400,000 respectively in the kitty and figure to offer purses in excess of $350,000 and $500,000, are scheduled for Monday, April 25. There will also be a $100,000 consolation for the Borgata and $75,000 for the Matchmaker.
The first stakes race of the year at Yonkers actually takes place on March 8 when three- and four-year-olds will compete in the MGM Rewards Pacing Series. The boys division lured 39 horses while the fillies and mares division that starts one day later saw 32 horses nominate.
A complete list of horses eligible to the four stakes can be found on the Yonkers website by clicking here.
Live racing at Yonkers is offered from Monday to Friday with a 6:55 p.m. first-race post time through April. Click here for a full-season look at the schedule.
(Yonkers Raceway)
Also nominated to The Borgata.........
Also nominated to The Borgata was Woodmere Stealdeal. I think this is the first time in the history of the race, including when it was called The George Morton Levy, that a horse from The Maritime Provinces has been entered into the event.