The Grand Circuit's weekly overview highlights its upcoming races at Yonkers Raceway.
This Week: Blue Chip Matchmaker and MGM Borgata Pacing Series fourth 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 5 in the fourth round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for open pacing mares. The Monday, April 8 card at Yonkers will have three $50,000 USD divisions in the fourth 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 improved to three-for-three while Linedrive Hanover and Dunkin both collected their second victories in the prelims in a trio of $67,568 divisions of the third leg of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series on Monday night (April 1) at MGM Yonkers Raceway. Click here for a complete recap.
Quebec-owned pacing mare Lit De Rose and driver Pat Lachance won for the second time in three Blue Chip Matchmaker Series legs on Friday night, March 29, kicking home strongly as the 3-5 choice to capture one of three $54,054 divisions at MGM Yonkers Raceway. Click here for a complete recap.
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, 1 2024):
Drivers: 1. Yannick Gingras – 48.5; 2t. Jordan Stratton – 48; 2t. Matt Kakaley – 48; 4. Scott Zeron – 40; 5. George Brennan – 37.
Trainers: 1. Cory Stratton – 39; 2. Michael Burke – 38.5; 3. Travis Alexander – 38; 4. Jeff Gillis – 37; 5. Linda Toscano –30.
Owners: 1. Mark Ford – 37; 2. Kathy Cecchin – 30; 3t. Larry Stalbaum – 22; 3t. Betty Clegg – 22; 3t. Goy Corbeil – 22.
Looking Ahead: After this weekend, Grand Circuit action will continue with the final leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker and MGM Borgata over the next week. The finals for both events will be held on April 22.
(Grand Circuit)