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This Week: Blue Chip Matchmaker and MGM Borgata Pacing series finals and consolations, Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, N.Y.
Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit at Yonkers on Monday (April 19) features the $514,000 final of the MGM Borgata Pacing series for open pacers and the $232,800 final of the Blue Chip Matchmaker series for open pacing mares. The card will also have the $100,000 MGM Borgata Pacing series consolation and the $60,000 Blue Chip Matchmaker consolation.
Last Time: Preliminary round action in the MGM Borgata Pacing Series concluded on Monday night (April 12) at Yonkers Raceway with a trio of $40,000 divisions that were won by Backstreet Shadow, Mach N Cheese, and Leonidas A.
All-source wagering totalled $3,237,137 on Friday – the biggest Friday of business this year – followed by a Saturday that saw $3,782,327 of action, for a total of $7,019,464.
There have been 29 programs conducted in 2021, and 20 of them have seen betting of at least $3 million. During all of 2020, the $3-million plateau was reached a total of 11 times.
Whether the winners paid big or small, the betting remained prolific. On Friday, there were but two winning favourites, while the next night saw a half-dozen public choices visit the winner’s circle. The Saturday night chalks did not make the average payouts of some of the more popular bets unappealing, however. The average win payout was $17.73 while the exactas averaged $114, trifectas $829 and Pick-3s $804. The biggest scores were to be made by hitting the 20-cent Survivor Pick-7 ($7,625) and 20-cent Pick-5 ($3,083).
One of the east coast s top trotters makes his return to Freehold Raceway on Friday (April 16), as Meladys Monet looks for his third win at Freehold this year.
Meladys Monet was assigned the outside post position in the eight-horse Preferred Handicap trot, but nevertheless looms as a serious contender. In his 12-year-old season, this Hermann Heitmann-trained gelding continues in fine form, with five wins from 10 starts on the year. He enters this race on a two-race winning streak at Yonkers Raceway. He s won twice at Freehold this year, taking the Preferred Handicap on Jan. 15 and Jan. 22.
Eric Abbatiello, who drove him to victory in those two starts, will once again be in the sulky.
News Transcript Datebook, April 14
News Transcript Datebook, April 14
• The Monmouth County Park System will host its spring craft show at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, Tinton Falls, on April 17 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This seasonal craft show with 50 local artists and crafters will feature Mother’s Day gifts, spring decorations and more. Admission and parking are free. Attendees must wear a mask at the event. Details: www.MonmouthCountyParks.com or call 732-842-4000.
• The American Red Cross continues to urge healthy individuals, especially those with type O blood, to give blood to ensure hospitals can meet patient needs. Schedule a donation appointment by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). The following blood drives have been scheduled: Freehold Township, April 21, 2-7 p.m., Freehold Township municipal building, Stillwells Corner Road.