Yonkers, NY — MGM Yonkers Raceway is preparing to host the first two Grand Circuit events of the 2024 harness racing calendar, the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for pacing mares that gets underway on Friday (March 15) and the MGM Borgata Pacing Series for free-for-allers that commences on Monday (March 18).

Both events feature five preliminary legs and finals on Monday (April 22).

The MGM Borgata Pacing Series divisions will go for $50,000 each with a $200,000 added final, while the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series splits will carry purses of $40,000 to go with a $125,000 added final. The MGM Borgata Pacing Series consolation is guaranteed at $100,000 and the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at $75,000.

The MGM Borgata Pacing Series nominations are headlined by Hellabalou, who pulled off a 47-1 upset in last year’s $511,000 final. Mike Lizzi photo.

The MGM Borgata Pacing Series nominations are headlined by Hellabalou, who pulled off a 47-1 upset in last year’s $511,000 final. There were 30 horses nominated in total, and some others we could see include millionaire Covered Bridge, former Canadian Horse of the Year Desperate Man, multi-stakes winner Fourever Boy and 2021 champion This Is The Plan.

Additionally, this year’s MGM Borgata Pacing Series final will have a “win and you’re in” feature for the $125,000 Birthday Invitational Pace in May to celebrate 125 years of MGM Yonkers Raceway; the Battle of Lake Erie at MGM Northfield on June 8; and the Aria Invitational at Yonkers (scheduled for Sept. 7).

As for the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series, 21 pacing mares were nominated. Lit De Rose, who was a rallying second to Amazing Dream N in 2023’s $328,200 final, is among those on the list, as is Racine Bell, who was the runner-up in the 2022 championship. Blue Chip Matchmaker Series veteran Karma Seelster was also nominated, as was Mikala, who won a pair of Grand Circuit Stakes a year ago.

Entries for the first leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series will be drawn on Monday (March 11) and the opening round of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series will be available on Tuesday (March 12). The entry box closes at 3 p.m.

A complete list of eligible horses to both races can be viewed here.

MGM Yonkers Raceway is currently operating on a Monday-Friday live racing schedule with post time each night at 7 p.m.