Favorites were defeated in all five legs of Saturday night’s (June 29) Pick-5 at MGM Yonkers Raceway, leading to a $3,988.09 carryover in the sequence on Monday night (July 1). That’ll also boost the normal $10,000 guaranteed pool on Monday to $15,000.
Maximus Miki paces fastest mile of Pocono season
Mid-card rain during the Saturday (June 29) afternoon program at Pocono Downs at Mohegan Pennsylvania caused most of the featured races to be conducted over a sloppy track, but Maximus Miki overcame both the weather and a tough field to win the $25,000 Open Pace in 1:49 – the fastest time of 2024 at Pocono.
Next Generation next Saturday at Scioto
The $150,000 Next Generation, for Ohio-sired 2-year-olds, will be held next Saturday (July 6) at Eldorado Scioto Downs. The evening card will also play host to the $120,000 Moni Maker and Nadia Lobell, open events for 3-year-old filly trotters and pacers, respectively. All six races will be broadcast on Fox Sports 2, as well as through the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association’s Saturday at the Races.
Grondin sweeps Maine trots at Cumberland
Trainer Valerie Grondin made a clean sweep of both Maine Sire Stakes for 3-year-old trotters at Cumberland Raceway on Friday (June 28), the second trainer to do so in as many weeks.
Rookies continue to impress at Big M
Breakfast With The Babies came on an overcast, dry and comparatively cool Saturday morning (June 29) at the Meadowlands with a helping breeze at the back of the babies through the stretch.
Sire Stakes continue at Harrah’s Hoosier Park
Indiana Sire Stakes continued at Harrah’s Hoosier Park on Friday (June 28) with a pair of divisions for 3-year-old pacing colts and geldings. Tellmeitmatters and Rolling Image each delivered as the bettor’s choice to claim the victory in their respective divisions of leg three of eight.
Maryland, Ascendance score in Big M’s Kindergarten
Maryland and Ascendance were two of the more impressive-looking — and high-priced — winners as the Kindergarten Series for 2-year-olds of each sex and gait kicked off Friday night (June 28) with six $20,000 divisions of the opening leg at The Meadowlands as every horse in the event made their respective pari-mutuel debuts.
Kimelman and Sheridan win MADC events Friday at Big M
With three races on the Meadowlands card Friday night (June 28), the MADC races were competitive and only one of the three races saw the chalk find the winner’s circle. With that being said it was the hottest driver on the amateur circuit, Yogi Sheridan, who acted like Yogi Berra, going yard twice for a driving double on the card.
Sir Pinocchio wires field in MGM Yonkers Trot final
Sir Pinocchio became a two-time winner on harness racing’s Grand Circuit this year, as the Dexter Cup champion was a front-stepping 1:54.4 winner in Friday night’s (June 28) $300,000 MGM Yonkers Trot at MGM Yonkers Raceway, giving him the first leg of the Trotting Triple Crown.
Travis Alexander trainees finish 1-2 in MGM Grand Messenger Stakes final
Trainer Travis Alexander won the MGM Grand Messenger Stakes final for 3-year-old male pacers at MGM Yonkers Raceway for a third time and swept the exacta in Friday night’s (June 28) $225,000 edition of the first leg of the Pacing Triple Crown, as Sweet Beach Life rallied past stablemate Howlenthehills for a 1:53.1 victory.