Yonkers, NY – Desperate Man, who was third in last year’s MGM Borgata Pacing Series final as the favorite, lacked a win in the 2025 edition of the event coming into Monday’s (April 21) fourth leg at MGM Yonkers Raceway, but changed his fortunes with a commanding 1:51 performance in the third of four $50,000 divisions. Apart from Desperate Man, it was the “Stratton Show” as both driver Jordan and trainer Cory had doubles.
Driven by Matt Kakaley, Desperate Man floated out from post five and drove on two-wide past a 27.2 quarter to wrestle control away from even-money favorite Verdun (Pat Lachance). After he got to the engine, Desperate Man clicked off the half in 55 seconds and the three-quarters in 1:22.4, then came home in 28.1 to hold off Verdun for the victory by a length and a quarter. Huntinthelastdolar (Jason Bartlett) finished third.
A 7-year-old Shadow Play gelding, Desperate Man is trained by Travis Alexander and is owned by Kathy Cecchin. This was his 28th career victory, he has now banked $1,525,774 and he paid $6.80 to win as the 2-1 second choice. The exacta was $17.60 and the trifecta $38.80.
Cory Stratton’s first victor was Chase H Hanover in Monday’s opening flight. Chase H Hanover, driven by Anthony Napolitano, got into a second-over past the half behind a parked-out Hellabalou (Yannick Gingras) but was sent three-wide on the third turn to take up the first-over position against pace-setter Binge On Yankee (Scott Zeron) before the 1:23.2 three-quarters.
Binge On Yankee, who had already given Hellabalou the cold shoulder through an opening-half of 26.2 and 54.4, was able to gamely fend off Chase H Hanover as well, but Chase H Hanover wouldn’t go away through the lane and wore down Binge On Yankee late in the mile, defeating him by a neck in a time of 1:52. Churchviewfrankl Ir (Brent Holland) tracked cover after he got away at the back of the pack and took third.
Chase H Hanover is a 7-year-old gelded son of Captaintreacherous trained by Stratton for owners El Dorado Stables and Robert Weinstein. Chase H Hanover is now a 33-time winner in his career, has pocketed $1,145,766 and returned $8.70 to win as the 3-1 third choice. He was atop an $87.50 exacta and a $285.00 trifecta.
Jordan Stratton got on the board in the second split with Mossdale Ben N, who grabbed his third victory in the series with a 1:51.2 effort from first-up. Why Not Now (Kakaley) carved out panels of 26.1, 55.2 and 1:23.2, but Mossdale Ben N, who vacated the pylons from fourth before the half, made steady progress on the rim and then went by Why Not Now on the final bend. From there, Mossdale Ben N had no issues, downing a second-over Himself N (Bartlett) by a length and three-quarters. Charlie May (Ron Cushing), who got shuffled behind Why Not Now after he got passed, was able to tip off the cones late on the final bend and ended up third.
Now with 15 tallies overall and a 7-1-0 record from eight tries in the U.S., Mossdale Ben N, a 7-year-old gelding by A Rocknroll Dance, has earned $244,019. Trained by Peter Tritton for owner PJT Investments Inc., Mossdale Ben N paid $2.20 to win as the 1-9 choice and fronted a $9.10 exacta and a $22.20 trifecta.
Last, but certainly not least, the Stratton Brothers would join forces with For Once Inmy Life, who improved to three-for-three in the MGM Borgata Pacing Series this year with a hard-earned 1:52.2 triumph in the final grouping. For Once Inmy Life left from post three but was challenged through the 26.4 quarter by a two-wide Typhoon Banner N (Joe Bongiorno). After Typhoon Banner N cleared, Stratton immediately re-moved, and he had For Once Inmy Life on the lead on the way to the 56.1 half.
Coaches Corner (Bartlett), who was after his third straight victory in the series, came to call first-over out of fourth as the field headed to three-quarters in 1:24.3, but For Once Inmy Life was resolute and wouldn’t be overtaken, fending off a game Coaches Corner by a neck. 48-1 shot Finvarra A (Gingras) tracked the live cover from Coaches Corner from second-over and turned that into a third-place result.
For Once Inmy Life, a 5-year-old gelding by Downbytheseaside, was sent out by Cory Stratton for owner Winters Racing Stable. For Once Inmy Life now has a summary of 14-9-9 from 51 outings, has banked $466,615 and returned $5.50 to win as the 8-5 second choice. He led a $13.60 exacta and a $144.50 trifecta.
The MGM Borgata Pacing Series prelims conclude next Monday (April 28), with the $200,000 (added) final and $100,000 (guaranteed) consolation on Friday, May 9 where they will be joined by the $200,000 (added) final and $100,000 (guaranteed) consolation of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Pacing Series.
BRENNAN SERIES ENDS WEDNESDAY, FINAL MATCHMAKER PRELIMS SET: The first final of 2025 at Yonkers will occur on Wednesday (April 23) as the $123,000 championship of the John Brennan Trotting Series headlines the program. Antognoni S is after a series sweep, but will have to overcome post seven in the mile and a quarter tilt, which is race seven on the program. There is also a $50,000 series consolation in race four.
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).
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.
MGM Yonkers Raceway is currently operating on a Monday through Friday live racing schedule with post time each night at 6:45 p.m. (EDT).