Post positions set for MGM Yonkers Trot, MGM Grand Messenger Stakes finals
At 0h02, on June 25, 2025 • By Yonkers Raceway Media Relations
One of the biggest programs of the year at MGM Yonkers Raceway is coming up Friday (June 27), led by the Grade 2 $300,000 MGM Yonkers Trot and the Grade 2 $200,000 MGM Grand Messenger Stakes finals for 3-year-old colts and geldings, the first legs of the Trotting and Pacing Triple Crowns.
Super Chapter (post one, Dexter Dunn listed to drive for Marcus Melander) heads the MGM Yonkers Trot, which will go as race seven on the card. Super Chapter is 2-for-2 so far this year, having won divisions of the New York Sire Stakes and Empire Breeders Classic, both at Vernon Downs.
Stablemate Variegated (post three, Scott Zeron) also won in the NYSS at Vernon and was the sire stakes champion a year ago, while Chat Room (post four, Tyler Buter listed to drive for John Butenschoen) was another EBC victor at Vernon. Hard Seven (post five, Todd McCarthy listed to drive for trainer Nancy Takter) captured the 2025 Dexter Cup at The Meadowlands.
The full field is as follows:
1-Super Chapter-Dexter Dunn-Marcus Melander
2-Happy Jack B-Ake Svanstedt-Ake Svanstedt
3-Variegated-Scott Zeron-Marcus Melander
4-Chat Room-Tyler Buter-John Butenschoen
5-Hard Seven-Todd McCarthy-Nancy Takter
MGM Grand Messenger Stakes elimination winners Twisted Destiny (Dunn listed to drive for Chris Ryder) and Odds On No Limit (Matt Kakaley listed to drive for trainer Travis Alexander) had differing luck in the open draw for the final as Twisted Destiny got post three while Odds On No Limit landed the eight-hole.
Ryder also has another entrant in the field in World Of Wishes, who will start from post two with Joe Bongiorno listed. The MGM Grand Messenger Stakes final is race eight on the program.
Here’s a full look at the MGM Grand Messenger Stakes draw:
1-Manolete-Scott Zeron-Bruce Saunders
2-World Of Wishes-Joe Bongiorno-Chris Ryder
3-Twisted Destiny-Dexter Dunn-Chris Ryder
4-Fast Choice-Doug McNair-Jared Bako
5-Dandy Ideal-Jason Bartlett-Hunter Oakes
6-Banderas-Jordan Stratton-Tony Alagna
7-Papi’s Rocket-Yannick Gingras-Ron Burke
8-Odds On No Limit-Matt Kakaley-Travis Alexander
Additionally, there will be a pair of Grade 3 $50,000 Park MGM Pace divisions (races two and four) and two Grade 3 $50,000 New York New York Mile splits (races three and six) for fillies on the docket.
