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.
Category: Grand Circuit News
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.
Seven Colors seeks successful Northfield return
Seven Colors has raced only once at MGM Northfield Park during his career, but it produced a pretty good memory for his connections. A week after being purchased by owners Bill Pollock, Bruce Areman and trainer Andrew Harris in August 2023, the then 3-year-old Seven Colors zipped around Northfield Park’s half-mile oval in a world record 1:48.1 to win the Carl Milstein Memorial. On Saturday (June 7), Seven Colors returns to Northfield for the $200,000 Grade 2 Battle of Lake Erie, an invitational for older pacers.
Pepsi North America Cup post position draw
The Post Position Draw will take place on Monday (June 9) at Woodbine Mohawk Park beginning at 5 p.m. Media will have the opportunity to speak with race participants and Woodbine’s racing leaders.