by Brett Sturman

Between the rich finals for the MGM Borgata and Blue Chip Matchmaker series, as well as their consolations, Monday’s Pick-5 at Yonkers will consist entirely of the stakes races. Beginning in Race 5, a $10,000 guaranteed pool will be offered, concluding in Race 9 with the Borgata Final. Here’s my breakdown of the races.

Race 5, $0.50 Pick-5 ticket: 1 / 1-5-7 / 1-3-4 / 1-2-3 / 1-3-8 = $42

RACE 5, $75,000 BLUE CHIP MATCHMAKER CONSOLATION

Delitfulcatherin N did well for herself last week to fend off Drama Act when that heavy favorite attacked early from the pocket and was game to lose only to a resurgent Racine Bell who will be one of the favorites later in the card in the series final. Her race two back against that same rival was just as good and even going four back, she was fighting on despite longshot status when she broke. This is her chance to shine and the Gillis barn remains sharp. I’ll likely use her as a single in the Pick-5 sequence, so it could be an early exit if I’m wrong. Gotthegreenlight hasn’t been bad in this series, but has shown how difficult it can be for a 4-year-old against these tougher, more seasoned mares. She’ll attract support once again as the connections must be respected, but I’m not sold enough to include her. Mabalene N is another that should take support but still needs to prove it. She had every chance last out to get to Lucky Artist and had it easy on the front end two back when she was caught. Gia’s Surreal came first over last week but never caught onto the leader; has been stronger in years past.

RACE 6, $50,000 MGM BORGATA FFA CONSOLATION #2

Anothrmastrpiece N was done in by bad posts throughout this series, which was unfortunate considering how well he came into this series off that try against Leonidas in an open race in early March. Even last week he wasn’t handled too aggressively and then had to alter course a couple of times into the stretch before flattening late. Lands another bad post but this is a field he can do some damage in. Splash Brother was racking up big wins in fast times in lesser conditions and then decided to give the Borgata a try in the final preliminary leg. He got stuck in that race behind Bee Two Bee who folded rapidly and will get another chance in this consolation to show he can go with these; I think he can. Tough call on Jack’s Legend. He got a confidence building win last out and now steps up again. He’d have crushed these in years past, likely to push the pace from the rail. Rockinwithelvis A tried to secure early position last out and gradually tired later in the mile; could surprise.

RACE 7, $100,000 MGM BORGATA FFA CONSOLATION #1

Hemsworth N is another that wasn’t done any favors at the post draws and he too entered this series with momentum. He won the only preliminary leg in which he had a halfway decent post. Last week he was flying from the clouds and he has a big shot in here; I’d expect he will take action off that 10-1 morning line. The big question here is what to do with Tattoo Artist. He had the rail this time last year in the series final and now lands it in the consolation but under more questionable form. His best would obviously be more than good enough just like it was four races ago, but I have no idea what to expect and wouldn’t be surprised by anything. American Courage has tried the front end in two of his four races this year and was caught both times; albeit by superior horses. He did win two back when raced from off the pace, so it’ll be interesting to see what Kakaley does here; may still try to get a forward early position. Priceless Beach couldn’t keep up with the cover of that blitz from Backstreet Shadow from leg #4 and then took last week off. Could surprise, just like he did in winning an open here at the end of February.

RACE 8, $328,000 BLUE CHIP MATCHMAKER FINAL

Doug’s Babe rates 5-1 in the morning line for the Matchmaker final and may very well be favored come race time. She enters the final off three straight wins, the most impressive of which was when she beat Amazing Dream N two back in a race where those two were well clear of all the others. She followed up that win with a lifetime best 1:51.2 win last week and will not be ignored going for Norman and Dunn. Amazing Dream N has drawn favorably this entire series and the final here is no exception. She had a great duel with Doug’s Babe in her most recent race two weeks ago and a super showdown could be coming once again. What more can you say about Racine Bell? She loves this track, has shown up throughout the series and won last week when it looked like she had gapped off cover until the very end when she finally kicked into gear. It’s a near certainty that the winner of this race will come from the inside three. Drama Act has had it mostly her own way throughout the series but probably hasn’t been as strong as she should have.

RACE 9, $511,000 MGM BORGATA FFA FINAL

Going by some of the auto-generated morning lines throughout the card and in particular for a race of this quality, we might not be too far from having ChatGPT doing this type of work. Programmed 2-1 favorite This Is The Plan only got into this race with the defection of the injured Jimmy Freight. Winner of this series final two years ago from post eight, he comes off his best race yet of the year, going wire to wire last out over a lesser group but in a solid time of 1:50.4. He’ll need to step it up even more but it’s Burke and Gingras so he theoretically could do just that; any top finishing effort would push his career earnings over $3 million. Covered Bridge has simply been vicious in his last pair. He exploded from nowhere last week when he wasn’t very well positioned and two back, he drew off impressively late despite a first over trip. The rail may not necessarily be the best place for him but he’s impossible to leave off the ticket; one of the many super sharp horses in here. Idealsomemagic flew last week to track down Funatthebeach and turn the tables on that rival from their late duel two back. With Stratton remaining committed to defending champion Funatthebeach, Brennan has stated this week he feels Idealsomemagic may be best from coming off the pace so it’s possible he could be raced that way in this final. What do we think of Backstreet Shadow at 20-1? Without a doubt he’d be the race favorite if not for post eight, but what a massive equalizer. He’s only two races removed from that record 1:49.3 performance and last week he closed with a rush in a race that was strictly being used to stay fresh for the final. What would be a fair price from out here, 5-1? Lochinvar Art has seen his stock fall in recent weeks. After not being as strong in the third leg as he had been prior, he took a week off and then once again didn’t fire last out. Is now suddenly a big longshot. Leonidas A and Hellabalou have been well supported throughout the series but feel they’d need a little luck to contend in this spot for the top.