Yonkers: Tarapasta terrific, double for Bartlett, Engblom in McIntyre Series

Tarapasta and driver Matt Kakaley stamped themselves as leading contenders after a blowout performance in Friday's (April 10) third round of the MGM Ursula McIntyre Series at MGM Yonkers Raceway. In one of three $50,000 divisions, Tarapasta powered to a wire-to-wire victory while completely in-hand through a 1:52 1/5 mile. With two wins in the three legs after a misstep in the opener, the Greg Luther Racing LLC.-owned daughter of Downbytheseaside clearly has sights set on the rich final.

Tarapasta left, along with a few others in her division, with Kakaley waiting for My Red Sea (Yannick Gingras) to cross over first and then Fearless Ginger (Scott Zeron) before assuming control through a snappy 27 3/5 quarter. With no pressure Tarapasta was strong, pacing through the middle-half fractions of 56 seconds and 1:24 1/5.

No outer flow was able to develop until three-quarters when My Red Sea and Coachellabound N had trouble gaining traction. Tarapasta distanced herself from Fearless Ginger on the final turn and was wrapped up through a 28 second final quarter. Dougs Babe A scooted along the pylons through the final turn before she angled out and was able to rally late for second over Fearless Ginger, with Elusive A fourth after flying on the far outside.

Trained by Travis Alexander, Tarapasta returned $2.18 to win and keyed a $22.14 exacta and a $72.88 trifecta.

Louies Girl N rebounded from her first North American defeat with a blistering effort, capturing her $50,000 McIntyre division by open lengths in 1:52 for Jason Bartlett. The Per Engblom-trained mare vaulted from post seven to the lead into the first turn ahead of Lydeo and then dissuaded Walkin On Sunshine from a quarter move to establish control well before the 28 second first quarter.

A 29 2/5 second quarter had Louies Girl N in front, and Bartlett didn't wait to kick the 6-year-old import by Lord Forbes into overdrive as she paced three-quarters in 1:25 thanks to a 27 3/5 third quarter and then sprinted home in 27 seconds for the win. Always Bstunning N followed up her upset of Louies Girl N in the second leg of the series with a solid, albeit distant second-place finish as Tim Tetrick rallied her off the cover of Walkin On Sunshine in the stretch. Walkin On Sunshine couldn't muster the strength to get to the winner on the backstetch but managed to hold on for third ahead of Lydeo.

Peaceful Acre Farm owns Louies Girl, now with three wins in four starts in 2025. As the slight favorite, Louies Girl N paid $4.54 to win and keyed a $9.56 exacta and a $14.24 trifecta.

► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter

Aardie B Miki N finally found winning form in the series, capturing the first $50,000 division in 1:53. Jason Bartlett had Aardie B Miki N energized from the moment the gates folded and overcame post seven in a flash, sending last year's series champion to the front ahead of Seaside Diva before the first turn. Once in front, Aardie B Miki appeared to be under constant reminders from Bartlett but managed to carve out first-half fractions of 28 2/5 and 57 seconds before seeing serious pressure.

Andrew McCarthy pulled Rocket Deo to challenge the leader off the third turn, but Aardie B Miki N accelerated to keep her at bay, hitting three-quarters in 1:25 1/5 but still appearing vulnerable. Silk Cloud A swung wide from second-over and Millwood Bliss N was four-wide into the homestretch, but Aardie B Miki N, a 6-year-old by Always B Miki, responded to urging and drew clear in the stretch, kicking home in 27 4/5 for the victory. Seaside Diva had room and held on to the place spot ahead of Silk Cloud A, with Millwood Bliss N settling for fourth.

Trained by Per Engblom for owner M T Stables Ontario Inc,, Aardie B Miki N returned $20.10 winning for the fourth time in nine starts in 2026. She keyed an exacta of $66.86 and a trifecta worth $239.88.

The MGM Ursula McIntyre Series prelims continue through Friday, April 24 before a $200,000 (added) final and a $100,000 (guaranteed) consolation on Friday, May 8.

More stakes action is ahead at MGM Yonkers Raceway on Monday (April 13) and Wednesday (April 15) with the third legs of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series and the John Brennan Trotting Series, respectively. The Borgata will have a trio of $50,000 divisions, while the Brennan was split into a pair of $30,000 groupings.

MGM Yonkers Raceway is operating on a Monday through Friday live racing schedule with post time each night at 6:45 p.m. (EDT).

--press release (Yonkers)--