March 28, 2023,
Yonkers, NY — The second leg of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series for free-for-allers was conducted on a rain-soaked and sloppy MGM Yonkers Raceway on Monday night (March 27), and Idealsomemagic A and Tattoo Artist shared top honors on the program by each turning in a 1:51.2 mile in their respective $50,000 tests. The other divisions went to Lochinvar Art A and Jimmy Freight.
Idealsomemagic A, who raced from off-the-pace in his round one triumph, switched up tactics in Monday’s third Borgata battle and was sent to the point by driver Jordan Stratton this time. He would put fellow first leg winner Hellabalou (Yannick Gingras) in the pocket before a quick :26.4 quarter over the off going and then rang up the half in :55.4 as Leonidas A (Austin Siegelman), another victor last Monday, began a first-over bid out of fourth.
Leonidas A’s bid on the outside stalled out before Idealsomemagic A registered the three-quarters in 1:23.3, and it was all Idealsomemagic A after that, as he sprinted a :27.4 last quarter to open up and tally by three lengths. Hellabalou fended off Leonidas A for second, followed by Rockin Withelvis A (David Miller) and Bad Tothe Bone N (Joe Bongiorno).
VIP Internet Stable and Bukers Stable own the Cory Stratton-trained Idealsomemagic A, a 9-year-old gelded son of American Ideal. Idealsomemagic A, who returned $6.20 to win as the 2-1 second choice and keyed a $37.60 exacta and $80.00 trifecta, has compiled a record of 20-18-8 from 92 lifetime tries, and has now put away $242,567.
Tattoo Artist (Dexter Dunn) faded to finish eighth after cutting the fractions in his 2023 debut last week but was back at the top of his game in the final Borgata clash. Dunn settled Tattoo Artist, dispatched as the 3-5 favorite, in third while This Is The Plan (Gingras) went to the engine and hit the quarter in :26.4 and the half in :55.2. Dunn then put Tattoo Artist in motion first-over heading to the 1:23 three-quarters and sailed by This Is The Plan beyond that station. Tattoo Artist would pull away after taking command, and he defeated a rallying Priceless Beach (D. Miller) by 3-1/4 lengths. Undrthsouthrnsun N (Bongiorno) grabbed third ahead of Covered Bridge (Stratton) and This Is The Plan.
A 6-year-old stallion by He’s Watching, Tattoo Artist was sent out by trainer Chris Ryder for owners Let It Ride Stables Inc., Frank Cannon and Diamond Creek Racing. Tattoo Artist is now a 31-time winner in his life, and he has pocketed $1,867,536. He paid $3.30 to win, while the exacta and trifecta were worth $10.60 and $83.50, respectively.
Lochinvar Art A picked up his second straight win in the series back in the first flight, storming home off a second-over trip to score in 1:52.4.
None Bettor A (Matt Kakaley) went to the lead and carved out panels of :27.2, :56.4, and 1:24 while Bee Two Bee (Gingras) moved up on the rim after pulling first-over out of fourth before the half. Lochinvar Art A (Lauren Tritton) stalked Bee Two Bee’s cover and then was sent three-wide late on the final bend.
Once he was fed the clear racetrack, Lochinvar Art A surged and was able to chase down None Bettor A nearing the wire, prevailing by a neck. Dean B Hanover (Stratton) was third, followed by Oakwoodnitownit IR (Scott Zeron) and Im Sir Blake A (Marcus Miller).
“I raced this horse a lot in Australia. He knows his job,” said Lauren Tritton. “I spend a lot of time with the horse and I know him inside and out. He knows what he’s out there to do, and he showed that tonight.
“He’s had the perfect runs so far. Fingers crossed we can keep it going.”
Trained by Shane Tritton for owner Team Tritton Inc., Lochinvar Art A, who has now been victorious in all five of his U.S. appearances, is an 8-year-old Modern Art stallion. This was his 33rd career win, he has now earned $1,116,318, and he returned $2.70 to win as the 1-5 favorite. The exacta was worth $6.70 and the trifecta kicked back $23.40.
Coming off a runner-up finish last week, Jimmy Freight (Zeron) took the second division in 1:52.2. Racing through heavy rain, Jimmy Freight was untested after going to the front and putting up fractions of :28.2, :57.3, and 1:25, defeating American Dealer N (Bongiorno) by 2-1/2 lengths. Backstreet Shadow (Kakaley), Funatthebeach N (Stratton) and Belmont Royale N (D. Miller) completed the top five finishers.
The only anxious moments for Jimmy Freight and his connections came after the race as the inquiry sign was lit due to Jimmy Freight racing inside three consecutive pylons in the stretch. After deliberating, the judges determined that Jimmy Freight’s margin of victory was enough that the infraction had no impact on the outcome of the race, so the result stood.
Brett Pelling trains Jimmy Freight, an 8-year-old stallion by Sportswriter, for owners Let It Ride Stables Inc. and Jimmy Freight Stable. Jimmy Freight made his 35th appearance in the winner’s circle, and he pushed his bankroll to $1,679,176. He paid $3.70 to win as the 4-5 favorite and was atop a $23.80 exacta and $71.00 trifecta.
The MGM Borgata Pacing Series continues for three more weeks before a $200,000-added final estimated to boost the purse to $500,000 on April 24. That card will also include the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series final and consolation events for both races.
MGM Yonkers Raceway will also offer the MGM Borgata Pacing Series champion a win-and-you’re-in opportunity to both the $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie at MGM Northfield Park on June 10 and the $200,000 MGM Aria Pace at Yonkers on MGM Yonkers International Trot Day (Sept. 23).
To complement the MGM Borgata Pacing Series, the Empire Terrace dining room will be open 6-10 p.m. on Mondays through April 24. Owners and fans are invited to attend the races and enjoy food from an ala carte menu. No reservations are required.
Starting this coming Thursday night (March 30), the Pick-5 pool at MGM Yonkers Raceway will be seeded with $10,000 and also have a guaranteed pool of $25,000. This initiative will continue on Thursdays into April and is being offered in partnership with the Standardbred Owners Association of New York as part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program.
Stakes action will resume at MGM Yonkers Raceway on Friday night (March 24) with a 10-race program and three $40,000 sections (races three, six, and eight) of the third leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for pacing mares. The second of those events features Amazing Dream N, the only two-time winner in the series in 2023, Racine Bell, who went over $1 million in career earnings with a victory a week ago, and defending champion Drama Act.
MGM Yonkers Raceway is currently operating on a Monday through Friday live racing schedule with post time at 7 p.m. (EDT).