There are a pair of horses set to race in the MGM Grand Prix Series in coming days looking to fine-tune their form and prepare hopefully for the $250,000 finals on December 19 at MGM Yonkers Raceway. Sir Pinocchio, a winner in the first leg for trotters two weeks back, looks for his second straight win on Friday (December 5), while New Zealnd import Mossdale Ben, the winner of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series final this spring at Yonkers, looks to punch his ticket into the final in Monday's third and final preliminary leg for pacers. Both horses had missed some time in advance of the series and hope to be peaking for the final big-money race of the year. "He popped a splint," said Ed Hart when asked why Sir Pinocchio had missed about a month of action. "I thought he qualified back well and then raced very well in the first leg." Sir Pinocchio not only raced well but also quite fast as he trotted to a track record 1:53 3/5 mile, sprinting a 27 4/5 final quarter while holding off a determined bid by Swedish-bred Antognoni at the wire. By comparison, the two other division in the opening round of the MGM Grand Prix Series for trotters were won in 1:55 and 1:55 1/5. "He had a pretty good horse chasing him (Antognoni) and he fought him off," said Hart. "I would expect him to be better since he needed that start." On Friday, Sir Pinocchio drew post three in the ninth race and third of a trio of $50,000 divisions. He's inside Periculum (post four), the richest horse in the field who finished second in last year's International Trot and then found himself boxed in for the 2025 edition. A heavy favorite in his first leg of the Grand Prix, Periculum broke stride on the first turn and was never a factor. Trainer Marcus Melander has put him back in, looking to rebound from a rare miscue. Sir Pinocchio is perhaps the perfect horse for Yonkers and specifically this series. "He can leave the gate like a runner," said Hart of the incredible gate speed his 4-year-old son of Met's Hall possesses. "And he handles the half-mile track turns perfectly." That combination has helped Sir Pinocchio, a winner of the 2024 MGM Yonkers Trot who has earned $886K over his career, with a chance to reach seven figures before the year is out. "It's a tough transition to race against these horses as a 4-year-old. I think he'll be better next year," said Hart. ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter Antognoni has had a big year for trainer Ron Burke, winning 13 of his 21 starts with a 2025 bankroll of $306,537. A 5-year-old by Father Patrick, Antognoni captured the John Brennan Series final early this year at Yonkers and has transitioned into a top Invitational performer over the half-mile track. He'll look for his first series win from post two in Friday's first Grand Prix division (race two). Take All Comers, the winner of the initial Grand Prix final for trotters in 2024, returned to the series in style, converting on a pocket trip for just third win of the year in 11 starts. The 7-year-old gelding by Creatine landed post seven in Friday's fourth-race $50,000 division. Switching to the pace, Jordan Stratton is hoping that time is on his side, at least when it comes to Mossdale Ben N. The 7-year-old had taken a while to return to the winner's circle as he did in the second leg of the series on Monday (December 1). "I think he's about 85 percent now," said Stratton. "His first race in the series was better than his qualifier and last week he was closer to where he needs to be." Stratton recognized that fitness is something that's required for any horse to succeed at this level, and Mossdale Ben N had missed some time and has been playing catch-up to reach the level of competition he's facing in the MGM Grand Prix. "I think by the final he should be 100 percent," said Stratton. On Monday (December 8), Mossdale Ben N landed post three in the third of four $50,000 divisions in the third and final preliminary leg of the series. The inside draw should keep him close to the pace, with Stratton a firm believer in how to best handle the Peter Tritton-trained gelding. "He's made nearly $500,000 this year racing from off-the-pace, so I'm not about to change that," said Stratton, who thinks Mossdale Ben N has every bit as much talent as any horse currently racing in the series. Mossdale Ben more than likely will be chasing second-leg winner Redwood Hanover (post five) in his division, with the Per Engblom-trained horse, a noted front-stepper, drawing into the same division with Jason Bartlett in the bike. Engblom's stable has been dominant all year at Yonkers and has the power to qualify multiple horses for the rich final. Captain Albano (post two) looks to sweep his preliminary legs in the first $50,000 section (race two) on Monday with Todd McCarthy guiding the 4-year-old son of Captaintreacherous. Captain Albano was victorious over the Yonkers strip on International Trot Day in winning the Aria Invitational. He's come back strongly, winning his opening leg of the series while racing without cover the final-half and then following that up with a two-move effort while holding off the classy Coaches Corner last week. Coaches Corner looks to regain his winning form in the second division (race four) from post five. A rugged warrior from the Engblom stable, Coaches Corner has banked nearly $550K this year, finishing first or second in 14 of his 25 starts racing at the elite level. Huntinthelastdolar (post four) heads the fourth division on Monday against six rivals in the evening's eighth race. The New York-sired son of Huntsville got the pace to his advantage in capturing a division of the second leg in 1:52 4/5 last week. Spring Inhis Step A, a winner in the first leg of the series, drew post two and appears the chief threat in this division. The 12-race Friday card and 11-race Monday program start at 6:45 P.M. (EST).