Funatthebeach N and Drama Act, winners of the 2022 MGM Borgata and Blue Chip Matchmaker finals, respectively, are on the list of nominations and ready to defend their titles when each series commences at MGM Yonkers Raceway later this month. The two events launch a stakes schedule worth over $6 million including Grand Circuit and New York Sire Stakes races. A total of 37 older male pacers paid the $5,000 nomination fee to be eligible to the MGM Borgata, down slightly from 40 the previous year. The series begins on Monday, March 20 and continues for five consecutive weeks with $50,000 preliminary legs before a $200,000-added final estimated to boost the purse to $500,000 on April 24. Funatthebeach N won two legs and the final of the MGM Borgata in 2022 and has started his year off nicely with four wins in seven starts for owner Mark Ford and trainer Jeff Gillis. The 9-year-old Down Under import was able to parlay his success at MGM Yonkers Raceway to a MGM Northfield Battle of Lake Erie victory, and the MGM Borgata winner will have that opportunity again. MGM Yonkers Raceway will offer the MGM Borgata champion a win-and-you're-in opportunity to both the $200,000 Battle of Lake Erie at MGM Northfield Park on June 10 and the $200,000 MGM Aria Pace at Yonkers on MGM Yonkers International Trot Day (September 23). Other notables on the nomination sheet for the MGM Borgata include 2021 MGM Messenger Pace winner American Courage, millionaires Jimmy Freight, Tattoo Artist and Lochinvar Art A, 2022 MGM Borgata runner-up Leonidas A and 2021 winner This Is The Plan. The Blue Chip Matchmaker saw 29 older pacing mares sign up in 2023 led by the aforementioned Drama Act. Sent out by trainer Ron Burke for The OK Corral, the 6-year-old has already won two of three starts this year and is slated to leave from post two in Friday's (March 10) $36,000 Open Handicap at the Westchester County oval. She'll face fellow nominees Easy To Please (post one), Karma Seelster (post three), Racine Bell (post four) and Gia's Surreal (post five). The Blue Chip Matchmaker kicks off on March 17 for five straight Fridays and will conclude with a $125,000 added final that should go for at least $250,000 on April 24. The early rounds of the Blue Chip Matchmaker will go for $40,000 each. To complement the MGM Borgata Series, the Empire Terrace dining room will be open 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Mondays from March 20 to April 24. Owners and fans are invited to attend the races and enjoy food from an ala carte menu. No reservations are required. Click here to see the complete MGM Yonkers Raceway stakes schedule. Live racing at Yonkers is offered from Monday to Friday with a 7:00 P.M. first-race post-time through April at which time Wednesdays are dropped from the schedule in favor of Saturdays. ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter A complete list of eligibles to both the MGM Borgata and Blue Chip Matchmaker series appear below. MGM Borgata Eligibles American Courage American Dealer Anothrmastrpiece N Backstreet Shadow Bad To The Bone N Bee Two Bee Belmont Royale N Burnham Boy N Casual Cool Covered Bridge Dean B Hanover Diamond Beach Funatthebeach N Hellabalou Hemsworth N Idealsomemagic A Ilikemebettor A I'm Sir Blake A Jacks Legend N Jimmy Freight Leonidas A Lochinvar Art A Loorrim Lake A Nandolo N None Bettor A Oakwoodnitowinit IR Priceless Beach Rockin Marty A Rockin Withelvis A Semi Tough Soaring Now Splash Brother Stretch The Line Tattoo Artist The Ideal Dancer A This Is The Plan Undrthsouthrnsun N Blue Chip Matchmaker Eligibles Alta Madeira N Amazing Dream N Annerie N Commander Cathy N Delitfulcatherin N Dougs Babe Drama Act Easy To Please Gia's Surreal Gotthegreenlight Hot Mess Express Incaseyoudidntknow Karma Seelster Lit De Rose Lucky Artist A Lydeo Mabalene N Majorca N Man Dontforget Me Mcmarkle Sparkle Morning Has Broken Racine Bell Reachthruthesky As Sweet Treasure The Pantheist A Trick Of The Light Uptown Hanover Wahs Fire Bug N Watch Me Now N --press release (Yonkers)--