Mossdale Ben N is now five-for-five in the U.S. and was one of three winners for driver Jordan Stratton in Monday's (March 31) first round of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series at MGM Yonkers Raceway. For Once Inmy Life, Aardies Flash N, Verdun and Binge On Yankee were the other victors in their respective $50,000 groupings.
Driven by Stratton in the fourth division, Mossdale Ben N got away in the sixth position but wound up gapping cover past the 56 1/5 half and then ending up three-wide before the 1:22 4/5 three-quarters. However, Mossdale Ben N was able to get down into a two-wide position on the final bend and hit his best stride in the lane, rallying past leader Its A Me Mario (Jason Bartlett) on his way to a half-length victory in 1:51 1/5. Desperate Man (Matt Kakaley) collected third.
A 7-year-old gelded son of A Rocknroll Dance bred in New Zealand by A.G. Affleck, Mossdale Ben N is a 13-time winner overall and has earned $181,519. Trained by Peter Tritton for owner PJT Investments Inc., Mossdale Ben N paid $6.40 to win as the 2-1 second choice and led a $32.20 exacta and a $58.80 trifecta.
For Once Inmy Life took the fastest split for Stratton in 1:51 flat. For Once Inmy Life worked his way past Coaches Corner (Bartlett) for the top spot beyond the 27 2/5 quarter, kept control through a 55 2/5 half and a 1:23 2/5 three-quarters and staved off a two-wide Coaches Corner to the wire, delivering by half a length. Dunkin' (Tim Tetrick) collected third.
Cory Stratton trains For Once Inmy Life, a 5-year-old gelding by Downbytheseaside, for owner Winters Racing Stable. The Joe Sbrocco-bred For Once Inmy Life made his 12th appearance in the winner's circle, has put away $416,615 and returned $4.70 to win as the 6-5 second choice. He was atop a $10.00 exacta and a $40.60 trifecta.
Also part of Stratton's hat trick was 17-1 shot Aardies Flash N, who tallied in his section in 1:51 2/5. Aardies Flash N settled in fourth and picked up cover from Humble A (Bartlett) and Wish You Well (David Miller) on the way to the 1:23 2/5 three-quarters but wound up first-over on the final bend when Humble A cleared to the point and Wish You Well ducked into the pocket. Despite losing the helmets he was tracking, Aardies Flash N didn't lose interest and surged by 1-5 favorite Humble A late in the mile before he reached the wire a length and a quarter in front of him. Wish You Well collected third. Six-year-old Always B Miki gelding
Aardies Flash N was sent out by trainer Per Engblom for owner M T Stables Ontario Inc. Bred in New Zealand by Grant Enterprises Ltd., Aardies Flash N has a summary of 16-9-6 from 47 outings, has pocketed $205,423 and returned $37.00 to win. The exacta was worth $69.00 and the trifecta kicked back $199.50.
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Monday's first Borgata battle went to Verdun and driver Pat Lachance in 1:52 1/5. Verdun landed in sixth from post six and was on excess cover fourth-over, but Lachance fanned him wide on the last turn, and behind a 26.4 final kicker, he got up to tally by a head. Huntinthelastdolar (Bartlett) was the runner-up and Chase H Hanover (Anthony Napolitano), who carved out panels of 27 4/5, 56 2/5 and 1:24, had to settle for third.
Verdun is a 5-year-old Bettor's Delight stallion trained by Lachance for owner Tom Ceraso Jr. Verdun, who was bred by Roland Trudel, won for the 23rd time in his career, has banked $470,209 and paid $11.80 to win as a 9-2 offering. He keyed a $56.50 exacta and a $163.00 trifecta.
In the midst of a driving rainstorm, 20-1 Binge On Yankee (Scott Zeron) pulled off the upset of the night in the finale, stopping the teletimer in 1:53. Binge On Yankee made the lead with ease from post seven, put up fractions of 27 4/5, 57 and 1:24 4/5 and kept pocket-sitter Typhoon Banner N (Joe Bongiorno) at bay through the lane and to the wire for the decision by a neck. Why Not Now (Kakaley) grabbed third.
Trainer Jeff Gillis also co-owns Binge On Yankee, a 5-year-old Stay Hungry gelding, with partner Ellen Ott. Binge On Yankee, who was bred by Charles Keller III, secured his 14th lifetime triumph and has stashed away $299,507. He returned $43.80 to win while the exacta and trifecta paid $230.50 and $534.00, respectively.
The MGM Borgata Pacing Series prelims run through 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.
SERIES ACTION CONTINUES THIS WEEK: The John Brennan Trotting Series joins the mix at MGM Yonkers Raceway this week with four $30,000 divisions of the first leg on Wednesday night (April 2). The series is named in honor of the longtime SOA of NY horsemen's representative who passed away from complications of COVID-19 in March 2020.
On Friday (April 4), four $50,000 splits of the second round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series will go behind the gate. First leg winners Walkin On Sunshine (post one) and Silk Cloud A (post five) meet up in the second tilt (race four) while the other opening round winners - Factory Girl (post two) and Aardie B Miki N (post five) - headline the third (race eight) and fourth tests (race nine), respectively.
PICK 5 POOL GETS A BOOST ON MONDAYS & FRIDAYS: Starting with Friday, April 4 and 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 starting 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).
--press release (Yonkers)--