Yonkers, NY – Coaches Corner and Silk Cloud A drew the coveted pole positions in the Grade 2 $478,000 MGM Borgata Pacing Series and Grade 2 $456,000 Ursula McIntyre Pacing Series finals, respectively, on Friday night (May 8) at MGM Yonkers Raceway.
Last year’s MGM Grand Prix Series champion at Yonkers, Coaches Corner, who will be driven in the Borgata final by Jason Bartlett for trainer Per Engblom, posted two wins and a second in his divisions of the last three legs of the series. Meanwhile, 2025 Aria Invitational champion Captain Albano will depart from post four for driver Todd McCarthy and trainer Noel Daley and defending Borgata champion Mossdale Ben N has post position seven for the tandem of driver Jim Marohn Jr. and trainer Peter Tritton.
The full field for the MGM Borgata Pacing Series final is as follows:
Grade 2 $478,000 MGM Borgata Pacing Series final – Race 8
PP-Horse-Listed Driver-Trainer
1-Coaches Corner-Jason Bartlett-Per Engblom
2-Soho Firestone A-Scott Zeron-Doug Dilloian Jr.
3-Donegal Luther N-Yannick Gingras-Jared Bako
4-Captain Albano-Todd McCarthy-Noel Daley
5-Huntinthelastdolar-Dexter Dunn-Per Engblom
6-Redwood Hanover-Dexter Dunn-Per Engblom
7-Mossdale Ben N-Jim Marohn Jr.-Peter Tritton
8-Howlenthehills-Matt Kakaley-Travis Alexander
In the Ursula McIntyre final, Silk Cloud A, a Peter Tritton trainee, will be joined by the likes of Louies Girl N, who had four wins and a second in the prelims and gives Bartlett and Engblom a chance of a sweep of the finals. Engblom will also send out defending champion Aardie B Miki N, but she will have to overcome post position eight for driver Andy McCarthy. Coastal Babe N racked up a trio of victories to go with a runner-up result in her four series appearances and will start from post position six for driver Yannick Gingras and trainer Jared Bako.
Here are the eight mares who will compete in the McIntyre final:
Grade 2 $456,000 Ursula McIntyre Pacing Series final – Race 7
PP-Horse-Listed Driver-Trainer
1-Silk Cloud A-Lauren Tritton-Peter Tritton
2-Louies Girl N-Jason Bartlett-Per Engblom
3-Millwood Bliss N-Dexter Dunn-Nifty Norman
4-Seaside Diva-Scott Zeron-Ron Burke
5-Tarapasta-Matt Kakaley-Travis Alexander
6-Coastal Babe N-Yannick Gingras-Jared Bako
7-Tick A Loch A-Jordan Stratton-Chris Height
8-Aardie B Miki N-Andy McCarthy-Per Engblom
To go along with the finals, there are $100,000 consolations for the McIntyre and Borgata in Races 5 and 6, respectively.
Also on Friday night, UFC star Charles Oliveira and harness racing Hall of Famer Tim Tetrick will compete in a team driving challenge between races four and five, with an approximate post of 8:15 p.m. (EDT). One team will be comprised of Oliveira, Dan Dube, Yannick Gingras and Pat Lachance, and the other will be Tetrick, Jason Bartlett, Lauren Tritton and Jordan Stratton. The race will be in race bikes and posts will be drawn randomly.
The drivers competing in the challenge, along with Oliveira, will sign autographs by the winner’s circle from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The first 150 guests will receive a free poster, courtesy of MGM, and the first 250 guests will receive a free hat, courtesy of the Standardbred Owners Association of New York.
Additionally, bettors have a $25,000 guaranteed Pick-5 pool to look forward to beginning in Race 5, and the Empire Terrace dining room will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. It will be buffet style and costs $55 plus tax and gratuity.
MGM Yonkers Raceway is currently operating on a Monday/Tuesday and Thursday through Saturday live racing schedule with post time at 6:45 p.m. (EDT) except on Saturdays when it is 3:30 p.m. (EDT).