Yonkers: Leonidas A puts 2021 winning streak on the line in MGM Borgata

Yonkers Raceway moves into the second round of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series this Monday, with the number of fields reduced from five to four $40,000 divisions. Perhaps the one encounter that race fans may wish to focus on comes in race six on the 10-race program, where first-round winners Leonidas A and San Domino A renew a rivalry that saw the two last meet in November 2020.

San Domino A defeated Leonidas A in a 1:50 3/5 clocking at Yonkers on November 7, but the race itself perhaps catapulted Leonidas A to a much higher profile.

"I think that race set him up for the Potomac," said Sheena Mcelhiney, who conditions Leonidas A for long-time owner Steven Finkelstein's Jesmeral Stable.

Leonidas A shocked the racing world just eight days later when he came from off-the-pace and overtook Bettor's Wish at Rosecroft in a 1:48 clocking, his fastest mile since arriving in the United States mid-2020.

The Potomac victory earned Leonidas A a solid vacation, and the now-6 year-old has returned with a vengeance, scoring in his debut on March 1 in a Yonkers Open and then following it up last Monday with a sparkling 1:53 1/5 victory with Austin Siegelman in the sulky.

"I've been very happy with his last two starts," said Mcelhiney, not trying to get ahead of herself. "There are a lot of top horses in this series. It won't be easy."

Leonidas A has made things look rather easy, especially at Yonkers where his strict off-the-pace style has seemed to work regardless of the early fractions.

"He's got a big heart," said Mcelhiney, who has seen Leonidas A overcome the general speed bias on numerous occasions at Yonkers.

On Monday, Siegelman has the pole position, with San Domino A starting from post two in a field that also includes the classy Ana Afreet N (post four), as well as former Levy final winner Western Fame (post six) and Breeders Crown champion American History (post seven).

San Domino A may still have an advantage over his rival in this field given his effortless down-the-road romp in the MGM Borgata Pacing Series debut last week for trainer Nancy Takter and driver Todd McCarthy. San Domino A won for the first time since joining forces with his new trainer, posting a 1:53 1/5 mile. He likely has the early foot to step around Leonidas A at the start.

Ana Afreet N had a long and adventurous journey in his Yonkers debut last Monday, spending much time on the outside while hardly advancing. The Jeff Cullipher-trained import did flash some pace late to salvage fourth and figures to benefit from the trip over the track with a better draw.

Backstreet Shadow looks to win for the first time in 2021 in the first MGM Borgata division (race three) after a solid second behind Leonidas A in last week's first leg. He drew post five for trainer Ron Burke in a field of six other opening-leg also rans. Having faced and beaten Backstreet Shadow in the Potomac, Mcelhiney has a ton of respect for the horse in this series.

"I think Let It Ride N and Backstreet Shadow, along with my horse, are the top contenders in the series," said Mcelhiney, recognizing the apparent class horses in the MGM Borgata.

The aforementioned Let It Ride N has used a similar off-the-pace profile since arriving on these shores, and Monday's draw may test just how long his connections can continue that approach. Let It Ride N landed post eight in the last (race seven) of the four divisions. Dexter Dunn guided Let It Ride N to a half-length score over This Is The Plan in the opening leg but is likely to find a much tougher test this week with This Is The Plan (post four) and first-leg winner Hesa Kingslayer N (post two) inside. Stars Align A (post one) is also likely to benefit from the improved draw in round two. The Midwest invader had trouble staying with his cover on the final turn last week.

Rockapelo (post three) looks to regain his winning form in the second MGM Borgata division (race four).

Looking ahead, Mcelhiney suggested she might enter Leonidas A in the third leg and then look to give him a week off, but will reserve judgment.

"We've got him staked to a lot. I'm definitely looking forward to racing in the Breeders Crown," said Mcelhiney, who conditions 21 at Big Z Stables.

Post time for Monday's card at Yonkers is 7:15 p.m.