The weekend of the summer solstice saw Grand Circuit races on Friday (June 20) at Yonkers with two eliminations for the MGM Messenger. Five entered the Yonkers Trot, so no elimination was required. On Saturday (June 21), we crossed the river and for the longest day of light there were two Graduate legs. They were thrillers reminiscent of the old free-for-all races of the 1950s and ’60s.
Category: Grand Circuit News
Post positions set for MGM Yonkers Trot, MGM Grand Messenger Stakes finals
One of the biggest programs of the year at MGM Yonkers Raceway is coming up Friday (June 27), led by the Grade 2 $300,000 MGM Yonkers Trot and the Grade 2 $200,000 MGM Grand Messenger Stakes finals for 3-year-old colts and geldings, the first legs of the Trotting and Pacing Triple Crowns.
MGM Grand Messenger Stakes elims drawn, five enter MGM Yonkers Trot
Harness racing’s Grand Circuit returns to MGM Yonkers Raceway on Friday night (June 20) with two $25,000 MGM Grand Messenger Stakes eliminations for 3-year-old male pacers. The Grade 2 MGM Yonkers Trot for sophomore colts and geldings did not require eliminations, with the five horses entered moving straight to next Friday’s (June 27) $300,000 final.
Grand Circuit events contested this weekend
The Grand Circuit events were contested in two countries over the weekend with the highlight above the 49th parallel, Pepsi North America Cup XLII. It was the first Grade 1 to be…
Takter likes ‘Optimistic’ approach to NA Cup
Nancy Takter has reason to feel hopeful about Captain Optimistic as the trainer gets her colt ready for Saturday’s C$1 million Grade 1 Pepsi North America Cup for 3-year-old male pacers at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Ontario.
Chantilly scratched from Fan Hanover
Chantilly, 2024 Canadian Horse of the Year, has been scratched from Saturday night’s Fan Hanover Stakes at Woodbine Mohawk Park.
‘Minnie’ ready for big showdown
Craig Henderson and his partners have enjoyed the ride with Dan Patch Award-winner Miki And Minnie, and the filly’s co-owner is hoping the thrills continue when she meets Canada’s 2024 Horse of the Year, undefeated Chantilly, in Saturday’s C$390,000 Grade 1 Fan Hanover Stakes for 3-year-old female pacers at Woodbine Mohawk Park in Ontario. It will be the first-ever meeting between the two award-winning fillies.
MGM Yonkers Raceway adjusts race starting point
Yonkers, NY – As the finish line has moved positions over the years at MGM Yonkers Raceway, so has the starting point of each race.
Post positions drawn for the 42nd Pepsi North America Cup
Louprint, the expected favorite, landed post four for Saturday’s C$1 million Grade 1 Pepsi North America Cup at the post position draw Monday evening.
‘Pistol’ takes aim at North America Cup
At this time of year, there are few places trainer Sam DePinto would rather be than Campbellville, Ont. “When you’re here, that means things are good,” he said, referring to the location of Woodbine Mohawk Park, where on Saturday (June 7) he will send out Papis Pistol in the second of three eliminations for the Grade 1 Pepsi North America Cup.