Free Program Here:  Yonkers Race Program (soaofny.com)

analysis provided by: Michael Pribozie

MGM Borgata 5/9/25

 
$20,000 Guaranteed Pick 5 Thoughts from Mikee P
 
Race 5 Matchmaker Conso
 
(3) Tarapasta is live here drawing well after no chance in latest.  She won leg 3 in this series up close and has the speed to control the race here.  (2) High Flyin’ Filly gets another inside post and YG likes to leave in these big purse races.  I’m expecting a pocket trip here and a chance late.  (1) Cheryls Shadow is an obvious contender here but the even $ ML makes me want to exclude her off this ticket.  No wins so far this season so needs more late.  (5) Intothemysticmoon is a horse that I’ve always liked that can share on the bottom of exotics with the right trip at huge odds. 
 
Race 6 Borgata Conso
 
(4) Charlie May had tough trips in this series and can setup a trip from this post.  (3) Why Not Now is speedy and draws inside.  I’m expecting a blast here and that could be enough to get a big share.  (5) Hemsworth N won the Conso in this series last year and now gets Dexter Dunn to drive after an out of town overnight win.  (2) Miki Shan is in and out but is capable off best.  Odds will be short here. 
 
Race 7 Matchmaker Final Grade 1

(1) Aardie B Miki N looms large here with dominant wins in the series and a perfect draw.  She will be favored but it will not be easy with this big pot.  (2) Walkin on Sunshine could land in the pocket here and has Scotty Z in a Final which is never a bad thing.  She has proven capable in this series and will be a fair price.  (6) Rocket Deo will need to blast early from this post but has a winning streak of her own on the line.  What trip does she gets here?  (7) Beautiful Seaside is a closer with a big ML that can play well in verticals.  
 
Race 8 Borgata Final Grade 1

(5) Mossdale Ben has been the best horse in this series with his relentless off the pace rallies.  He can win from anywhere and will get the pace to chase here.  (1) Verdun draws perfect and has a price look with the way he has performed in this series.  (4) Huntinthelastdolar is speedy and opportunistic.  YG will put him in play and look to trip out with the battle.  (8) Coaches Corner never draws well but always races well.  Can he find a way to navigate this post?

Race 9 

(2) Create Mystique drops and can grab a trip with a similiar kick to beat these.  (4) Creative Venture was better in last and is a use in multis.  (5) Haloa has KY form and has upside.   
 

Kevin Plowcha offers his thoughts prior to the draw:

Binge On Yankee
Many weren’t sure what to do with this guy after his massive leg one upset at 20-1 from post seven, especially because they were racing in a torrential downpour at that point in the night, but he continued to show that he belonged in the series, even if he may end up as a fringe player in the final. His effort in leg four was huge, and a good draw could see him follow some live ones and hit the ticket.

Chase H Hanover
The break he took during leg three appeared to work its magic, as he came back strong with wins in legs four and five. I still have questions, though. He got a perfect setup in leg four and it took him all of the stretch to get by the aforementioned Binge On Yankee. He wired them in leg five, but they got to the half in :56, and there’s no way Mossdale Ben N was fully cranked. I think he needs a little bit more.

Coaches Corner

This horse absolutely loves the Yonkers oval. He’s been a staple in the Borgata for years now, and it didn’t change in 2025. He competed in all five legs and earned three wins, finishing no worse than second throughout the entire series. He’s a major contender, although he’ll probably draw in the parking lot given his history of draw luck at Yonkers.

Desperate Man
He is perhaps the most polarizing horse in this final. He came up short as the heavy favorite in each of the first three legs, and it felt right to question his staying power in this series. He finally got the job done in leg four, but needed to prove it wasn’t a fluke. A wrapped up 1:51.1 win in leg five after being pressured to the quarter showed that he could be back.

For Once Inmy Life
On the other end, we have For Once InMy Life, who was 3-for-3 heading into leg five, including getting the best of Coaches Corner twice. But… he was offstride going to the gate, ended up breaking again and getting pulled up. We know that he qualified on Wednesday at Pocono, and was a winner in 1:53.0 according to Cory Stratton. This puts a major question mark over the head of a horse that looked like a major win threat.

Huntinthelastdolar
He’s given a strong, solid effort every time he steps out on the Yonkers oval. He faced weaker fields in legs two and three, but to his credit he took care of business. I personally think he needs a lot to go his way to get him a win, but if he runs his race again, I can see him getting a piece.

Mossdale Ben N
Here’s your final favorite. This New Zealand invader is 7-for-9 since his North America debut on February 17th. He regularly came from the clouds and would turn impossible trips for regular horses into winning trips for him. His two losses might be his most impressive efforts. Kicking :26.4 in leg three to only miss by half a length to Coaches Corner is insane, and even with the excuse of it being a “prep” mile, the back half was paced in :54.4, and he made up ground on Chase H Hanover with Stratton motionless in the final eighth. He’s the one to beat.

Verdun
I would say this has been a resurgence for Verdun – Actually, I still will, because he’s stringing strong efforts together against the best open pacer company, but I wasn’t familiar with just how much he liked this racetrack. This is where he shines, and we’ve seen it week in and week out. He’s surprised me with his versatility in this series, and I think he provides a sneaky upset chance, especially if you think the race falls apart after hot fractions. We’ve seen it before.

That’s your field for the 2025 MGM Borgata Pacing Series final. Also on that card will be the Blue Chip Matchmaker final, and the consolations for both. It’s setting up to be a fantastic night of racing at Yonkers on May 9th.

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