While there were no changes in the Week 9 edition of Dave Little’s “Road to The Meadowlands Pace” Top 10 poll, there may be for next week’s 10th and final ballot, as six of the 10 horses will race (with another qualifying) on Friday or Saturday in an effort to sharpen up for the Pace eliminations, which take place July 8.
Category: Grand Circuit News
Toscano duo seek crowns in Yonkers stakes
Linda Toscano will send out highly regarded contenders in Friday’s two stakes races for 3-year-old fillies at MGM Yonkers Raceway with trotter Sadie Hanover looking to remain undefeated this season and pacer Ucandoit Blue Chip, who holds a special connection to the trainer’s heart, aiming to continue her own winning ways.
Huge weekend of Grand Circuit racing opens Friday
The Grand Circuit weekend kicks off on Friday (June 30) at Yonkers Raceway.
Down Under ‘God of Thunder’ joins International Trot lineup
The second horse to join the $1 Million MGM Yonkers International Trot has a god-like name of Greek origins, but he is most certainly of Australian descent. The connections of Group 1 winner Aldebaran Zeus have received and accepted an invitation to the 1 1/4-mile worldwide trotting contest on Sept. 9 at MGM Yonkers Raceway.
Kierkegaard K takes over top spot in Warkentin’s Road to the Hambletonian
After dominating his Yonkers Trot elimination, Kierkegaard K moves into the top spot in week 5 of Ken Warkentin’s Road to the Hambletonian.
Taking a shot with ‘Fling’ in Messenger
American Fling has shown the ability to step around a half-mile track, so the defending New York Sire Stakes champion earned the chance to step out Friday in the $250,000 MGM Grand Messenger Stakes for 3-year-old pacers at MGM Yonkers Raceway.
Fields drawn for Friday Grand Circuit finals at Yonkers
On Monday (June 26), the open draws took place for Friday’s (June 30) four Grand Circuit finals for 3-year-olds at MGM Yonkers Raceway: the $300,000 MGM Yonkers Trot, the $250,000 MGM Grand Messenger Stakes, the $115,000 Park MGM Pace and the $100,000 New York New York Mile. The MGM Yonkers Trot and the MGM Grand Messenger Stakes are the first legs of the Trotting and Pacing Triple Crowns.
It’s My Show to skip Meadowlands Pace
It’s good to be the top ranked horse in North American harness racing, as horses that find themselves atop the poll often develop a following. Ever since he set a Canadian record in the 2023 Pepsi North America Cup at Woodbine Mohawk Park, fans of the sport have wondered when the seasonally unbeaten sophomore It’s My Show would race again.
Iwon’t Backdown As stands his ground
Over the years, trainer Anette Lorentzon has named some of her family’s homebred horses after songs, but Iwon’t Backdown As is more than a nod to a Tom Petty hit. It fits her 4-year-old trotter to a T. On Saturday, Iwon’t Backdown As returns to The Big M for the third-and-final preliminary round of the Graduate.
Engblom hopes for ‘Trendy’ result in Graduate
When it comes to his style on the racetrack, Trendy Teen is with it. A 4-year-old gelding, Trendy Teen has jumped up to Grand Circuit action this season and held his own in the first two rounds of the Graduate Pacing Series, putting himself in position to reach the July 8 final with another strong performance this Saturday (June 24) at The Meadowlands.