Posts drawn for MGM Yonkers Trot and MGM Grand Messenger Stakes finals
At 0h19, on June 28, 2022 • By YONKERS
The fields have been drawn for the finals of the MGM Yonkers Trot and MGM Grand Messenger Stakes, the first leg of the Trotting and Pacing Triple Crown, which will take place on Friday (July 1) at Yonkers Raceway.
In the MGM Yonkers Trot, elimination winners Joviality S and Justice didn’t have luck on their sides in the open draw, with Joviality S landing post seven and Justice post eight. Joviality S, who is undefeated in four starts this year and recently topped the $1 million mark in lifetime earnings, will be driven by Brian Sears for trainer Marcus Melander and owner Courant Inc., while Justice, who sent his bankroll over $250,000 with his elimination score, will have trainer/co-owner Ake Svanstedt at the lines for partners Little E LLC., Torbjorn Swahn Inc., and Myfab Inc.
The MGM Grand Messenger Stakes final will see elimination winners Gulf Shores and Pleaseletmeknow depart from posts four and seven, respectively. Gulf Shores, the runner-up in last year’s Breeders Crown 2-Year-Old Colt Pace final, has Yannick Gingras in the bike for trainer Brian Brown and owners Country Club Acres Inc., Diamond Creek Racing, and Wingfield Brothers LLC., and Pleaseletmeknow, who won the MGM Springfield Stakes final at Yonkers in 2021, will be steered by Matt Kakaley for trainer Travis Alexander and owner/breeder Fiddler’s Creek Stables LLC.
Here are the full fields with listed drivers and trainers:
$259,230 MGM Grand Messenger Stakes Final (Race eight)
1-Nautical Hanover (Todd McCarthy/Tony Alagna)
2-Huntanover (Tyler Buter/George Ducharme)
3-Captain Cowboy (Dexter Dunn/Ake Svanstedt)
4-Gulf Shores (Yannick Gingras/Brian Brown)
5-Atlas Hanover (Todd McCarthy/Tony Alagna)
6-Boston (Joe Bongiorno/Jennifer Bongiorno)
7-Pleaseletmeknow (Matt Kakaley/Travis Alexander)
8-PJ Lou (Jason Bartlett/Mark Harder)
$280,904 MGM Yonkers Trot final (Race nine)
1-Brave By Design (Joe Bongiorno/Jennifer Bongiorno)
2-Robertsin (George Brennan/Nik Drennan
3-Double Deceiver (David Miller/Carter Pinske)
4-Saverio Hanover (Dexter Dunn/Ron Coyne Jr.)
5-Pour Mea Double (Dexter Dunn/Lucas Wallin)
6-Slay (Tim Tetrick/Tony Alagna)
7-Joviality S (Brian Sears/Marcus Melander)
8-Justice (Ake Svanstedt trains/drives)
