Three divisions wrap up Grand Prix Pacing Series prelims

The third and final leg of the MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series was the harness racing feature on Monday night (December 9) at MGM Yonkers Raceway. Three $50,000 divisions took place, with each of those events going the distance of a mile and a sixteenth.

Typhoon Banner N (Bettor’s Delight), driven by Matt Kakaley, won the first grouping in 1:58.4. He cut fractions of 27.2, 57.1 and 1:24.4 while Its A Me Mario (Lauren Tritton) came first-up from third before three-quarters and My Ultimate Byron A (Steve Smith) raced in the pocket. Its A Me Mario made some progress while uncovered, but stalled out in the lane as Typhoon Banner N hit the mile marker in 1:51.4 and then the wire a length and a half ahead of My Ultimate Byron. Its A Me Mario had to settle for third.

An 8-year-old gelding bred in New Zealand by Banner Bloodstock Ltd., Typhoon Banner N is trained by Joe Bongiorno for owners Philip Steinberg, JB Racing and Barbara Bongiorno Stb LLC. This was his 24th career win, he has now earned $341,735 and paid $3.70 to win as the 4-5 favorite. He keyed a $20.40 exacta and a $27.40 trifecta.

In the next section, Adam Twelve (Yannick Gingras) drove on two-wide and battled for early command with Chase H Hanover (Kakaley) and finally got to the top after a fast quarter of 26.2. Adam Twelve then backed down the tempo to 56.3 at the half before 3-5 favorite Seven Colors (Jason Bartlett) began a first-over move out of the third position.

Seven Colors (Stay Hungry) got side-by-side with Adam Twelve as three-quarters was clicked off in 1:24.1 and then sustained his bid to take a narrow advantage late on the final bend. From there, Seven Colors put Adam Twelve away for good, was clear at the 1:51.3 mile station and cruised to a 2 3/4 length decision in 1:58.3. Whats Stanley Got A (Jordan Stratton) got up for second late from Chase H Hanover.

Trainer Andrew Harris also co-owns Seven Colors, a 4-year-old, with partners William Pollock and Bruce Areman. The Alan Byler-bred has a summary of 11-6-7 from 42 outings, has pocketed $1,017,629 and returned $3.20 to win. He was atop a $15.40 exacta and an $85.00 trifecta.

Coaches Corner (Always A Virgin) gave Bartlett a double and completed a sweep for the favorites when he took the last clash in 1:58.2. Rather than tucking into third, Bartlett kept Coaches Corner on the outside and made his way by Verdun (Pat Lachance) past the 27 second quarter-mile point. After he got control, Coaches Corner put up panels of 56.1, 1:24.2 and 1:51.3 on his way to a 1 1/2 length tally over Verdun. American Dealer N (Kakaley) collected third.

A 4-year-old gelding, Coaches Corner is trained by Per Engblom for owners Jeff Fought Racing and Brian Carsey. Bred by Black Creek Farm and Hickory Hollow Stables, Coaches Corner is a 27-time winner, has banked $726,444 and paid $2.80 to win as the 2-5 favorite. He led an $8.50 exacta and a $107.00 trifecta.

Next Monday’s (December 16) program at MGM Yonkers Raceway will be led by the $250,000 MGM Grand Prix Pacing Series final, which will be held over the distance of a mile and a sixteenth.

Only nine cards remain in the 2024 meet at MGM Yonkers Raceway. Through Friday, December 20, live racing is conducted on a Monday through Friday basis with post time each night at 7 p.m. (EST).

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

From Yonkers Raceway