The MGM Borgata Series has taken its toll on many a pacing warrior over the years, but some are stronger and more enduring than others. That appears to be the case for This Is The Plan, a now 9-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere that captured the rich final from post eight in his debut in the series in 2021 and is primed for action this Monday (March 25) in the second leg of the series at MGM Yonkers Raceway. Hall of Famer Yannick Gingras has been fortunate to sit behind the Burke-trained gelding for much of his career, including the 2021 Borgata final victory, and is optimistic about his chances this week and going forward. "I was very happy with the way he raced in his start last week," said Gingras of the second-place finish behind Covered Bridge in a division of the opening leg of the series. "I trained him before his qualifier in about [1]:55 or [1]:56 and he was good." Gingras will sit behind This Is The Plan this Monday, with the pair landing post one in the final of four $50,000 divisions, carded as race 10 on the program. "I have to give all credit to the Burkes for getting horses to come back year after year at this level. He's not the first horse they've had that's come back – Foiled Again, Atochia, Clear Vision, they all made multiple appearances in this series," said Gingras. A winner of $3.1 million in his career, This Is The Plan's class and experience may be enough on Monday, as well as the draw. This Is The Plan will meet another Borgata final champion in the 2022 winner Funatthebeach N (post five) in Monday's division. Last year's Borgata final victor Hellabalou drew post three in the first $50,000 division on Monday (race four), and Gingras is hoping for a quick turnaround in form following a disappointing fourth-place finish in the opener. "They told me he scoped sick after that race," said Gingras. "I'm sure they'll get him turned around." The Burke Brigade has a history of bounce-back performances, and Hellabalou could return to form in this field of six. Joining Hellabalou in the race is another horse that achieved success in last year's Borgata that also failed on the front-end in the first round of action. Idealsomemagic A (post six) started quickly and cut a wicked clip before fading on the final turn in the opening round. He'll return with George Brennan this week and could be much tighter for the effort. Backstreet Shadow (post five) makes his debut for trainer Travis Alexander. The veteran performer has made over $1.5 million through his career with 44 lifetime wins to his credit. ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter Gingras will be up against it in the sixth race division of the MGM Borgata with Sumomentsomwhere A, an import from the Burke stable that has shown talent since arriving on these shores. "I spoke to Mark Weaver [co-owner] a few months ago, and he told me he really liked this horse," said Gingras. "I was very happy with the way he finished last week." That effort was a second to Desperate Man in the opening leg, one of three first-leg winners that he'll have to meet again in this overcrowded division. "There are three winners from the first leg in there, so we'll have to try to work out some kind of trip," said Gingras of his horse's chances from post six. Linedrive Hanover's 1:51 2/5 mile was the fastest of four divisions in the opening leg, and the 6-year-old by Betting Line drew inside his main rivals for Monday's second round, landing post two. Covered Bridge, a 1:52 3/5 winner, landed post three, while Desperate Man, a 1:51 4/5 victor, will start from post four in this contentious division. Gingras hopes an improved post and better trip may serve Semi Tough well in the ninth race $50,000 MGM Borgata division. "He really was much sharper in his three wins before the series than he felt last week," said Gingras of the fourth-place finish by Semi Tough in the series opening leg. Semi Tough entered the series having won five of his first eight races of the year. "Maybe it was the outside post or sitting last with him," concluded Gingras, who will start from post two on Monday with the 8-year-old. "I thought Stalbaum's horse [Rocknroll Runa A] raced very well in the first round," said Gingras of the 1:52 1/5 opening leg winner. Rocknroll Runa A drew post four with Mark MacDonald for Monday's contest. Pleaseletmeknow (post one) hails from the strong Travis Alexander stable. Two new additions to the series come in the form of Strengthfromabove (post three), the first horse former Brett Pelling assistant Besim Odza has entered in the series, as well as Magic Four N (post six), a horse now trained by Pelling after arriving from Christi Noble's stable in Ohio for the MGM Borgata Series. The 12-race card at Yonkers Monday starts at 7:00 PM (EDT) and features a $10,000 guaranteed Pick 5 in the fifth race.