Yonkers: Hesa Kingslayer N tries to continue Borgata perfection

The fifth and final preliminary round of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series will highlight Monday's 10-race Yonkers Raceway program with three $40,000 divisions offered. While the identity of the top-eight eligible for the final has left little doubt to who the key players will be, Monday's sixth race (third division) has all the elements of a semi-final. Driver Jimmy Marohn Jr. will guide Hesa Kingslayer N (post five) against six rivals, and the 8-year-old has been flawless, winning all three legs of the series in which he was entered.

"I'd say he's among the best in the series, along with Leonidas A and This Is The Plan," said Marohn Jr. "I think he can win with a trip. I also think the other two can win with a trip, too."

While the big money will be on the line when the three collide the following week in the final, Marohn didn't shy from his chances this week when he'll meet up with Leonidas A (post one), who also sports three leg triumphs, and This Is The Plan (post six), who has posted the fastest (1:51 1/5) mile of the series.

Hesa Kingslayer N has won four of eight starts this year for trainer Mike Deters. Marohn has been his regular pilot, and the driver has clearly loved what he's seen.

"I think he can handle any sized track," Marohn said. "He bears in a little bit on the turns here (Yonkers), but that's not an issue."

On Monday Leonidas A clearly has the advantage of post position, as well as some early speed, but Hesa Kingslayer N has proven that he can leave the gate if needed and still have something left in the tank.

"I'll try to give him a good trip," said Marohn, indicating that he's not taking the week off and looking towards the final.

While This Is The Plan was able to score decisively in leg four, it should be noted that the veteran Pennsylvania-bred son of Somebeachsomewhere could not handle the New Zealand-imported son of Christian Cullen when the two met in the second and third rounds of series action.

"He's a gritty little horse," said Marohn, complimentary no doubt of Hesa Kingslayer N's tenacity in the final quarter-mile.

Four Borgata leg winners will clash in the first (race four) of the three divisions on Monday night, with Backstreet Shadow (post one) meeting San Domino A (post three), Lyons Steel (post five), and Western Joe (post six) in the select group of a half-dozen. All four currently have a position in the top eight in the series standings and will be looking to add to their respective point totals.

Western Joe has not missed a leg of Borgata for trainer Chris Choate, and the veteran performer looks for his third straight victory. Western Joe was impressive in collaring a pace-setting Backstreet Shadow in round three of the series, and then managed to save every bit of ground before sneaking up the pylons to capture his division in a thriller last Monday.

The $514,000 MGM Borgata Pacing Series final is slated for April 19 and pretty much all of the six horses entered in the fifth race division this Monday will need a combination of good fortune for themselves and bad luck for others to reach the six-figure bonanza. Mach N Cheese (post three) keeps knocking on the door for trainer Edwin Quevedo and perhaps Monday's short and less distinguished group will propel him to a victory. The 6-year-old has finished second and third in the last two rounds of action.

Past Borgata (Levy) champion Western Fame (post one) may finally be showing some signs of aging as he has failed to hit the board in any of the previous four legs despite relatively good draws and racing luck. The $1.8 million winner was sold following his last outing, and trainer Daniel Renaud hopes to earn a quick return for the new ownership.

While Chief Mate (post six) is unlikely to reach the final, the 4-year-old by Captaintreacherous has shown promise from difficult spots for trainer Todd Luther, including a pair of thirds to Leonidas A. Scott Zeron figures to have Chief Mate in contention.

Monday's final MGM Borgata round action kicks off with a first-race post time of 7:15 p.m.