Yonkers, NY — After going three-for-three in his prelims, Antognoni S put the cherry on top of his John Brennan Trotting Series dominance with a romping 2:24.3 win over the mile and a quarter distance in the $132,000 final on Wednesday night (April 23) at MGM Yonkers Raceway.
Driven by co-owner Yannick Gingras, Antognoni S settled in the fifth spot from post seven while fellow Ron Burke trainee Busy Making Moni (Scott Zeron) went to the front from the five-hole and cut fractions of :29 for the quarter and :59.1 for the half. Gingras had Antognoni S off the pylons before the half-mile clocking went on the board, and he brushed to the top beyond that marker.
Once he had control of the race, Antognoni S kept clear to three-quarters in 1:27.4 and the mile in 1:55.3, and he was in-hand as he crossed the wire 5-1/2 lengths ahead of his stablemate. Scottish (Jordan Stratton) overcame post eight to finish third, followed by Green Pastures (Matt Kakaley) and Mycrownmykingdom (Brent Holland).
“He’s a very nice horse who we bought especially for this series,” said Gingras, who added that the initial hope was that he’d be an Open horse at Yonkers, but the 5-year-old has surpassed his expectations. “He follows great and can do it on the front as well.”
With these victories at Yonkers now under his belt, the connections are hoping to get an invitation for a return trip to Antognoni’s native Sweden in next month’s Elitlopp.
“One race I’ve always wanted to win, maybe even over the Hambletonian, is the Elitlopp. If we can get an invite, I think he has a shot. I’m not saying he is going to win, but it would be a great thrill and Ronnie [Burke] and I are very interested. He’s the perfect horse for it because he doesn’t wear hobbles, isn’t on Lasix and right now he goes with heavy shoes, so we could race barefoot over there,” said Gingras, who said he would reach out to Swedish officials to inquire. “It would be a dream come true to win it.”
Gingras also mentioned that maybe they could tag along on the flight Canada’s Elitlopp representative Logan Park was taking if they were invited. If they don’t get the pink ticket, the Arthur J. Cutler Memorial at the Meadowlands is next on the schedule.
A gelding by Father Patrick, Antognoni S is trained by Burke and is co-owned by Gingras in partnership with Burke Racing Stable LLC., Weaver Bruscemi LLC. and Fac Racing LLC. He has 14 wins from 29 career starts, has earned $211,984 and paid $2.20 to win as the 1-9 favorite. He led a $9.70 exacta and a $120.50 trifecta.
Another Swedish-bred, Golden Rain, took the $50,000 consolation in 2:27.2 for the mile and a quarter. Jason Bartlett piloted the 7-year-old Bold Eagle mare to the victory for trainer Per Engblom and owners Engblom Stable LLC. and Thomas Lind-Holm.
The John Brennan Trotting Series, a fixture on the schedule in April at Yonkers, is named in honor of the longtime SOA of NY horsemen’s representative who passed away from complications of COVID-19 in March 2020.
FINAL MATCHMAKER, BORGATA PRELIMS SET: The last chance to earn points in this year’s Blue Chip Matchmaker Series happens in Friday night’s (April 25) final leg, and there will be three $50,000 divisions. Aardie B Miki, who started the series three-for-three and then took last week off, starts from the pole position in the second section (race five). She faces the likes of two-leg winner Walkin On Sunshine (post six).
Three $50,000 splits of the last round of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series will then take place on Monday (April 28). The top 15 horses currently in the standings are all set for action as spots for the rich final on May 9 are up for grabs.
PICK 5 GUARANTEED POOL BOOSTED ON MONDAYS & FRIDAYS: Continuing for every Monday and Friday card during the legs of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series and Blue Chip Matchmaker Series, MGM Yonkers Raceway, in conjunction with the SOA of NY, will offer a $20,000 guaranteed Pick 5 pool in race five.
The guaranteed Pick 5 pool on Mondays is also a part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program.