Post-position draw is key to success, especially at MGM Yonkers Raceway, where two rich finals are set to go on Monday (April 22). The draw was kind to a pair of potential favorites: Lit De Rose, most recently a millionaire after capturing the fifth Blue Chip Matchmaker preliminary leg on April 12, landed the pole position for the $276,200 final. On the male side, Linedrive Hanover hopes to even the score with rival Desperate Man in the $457,000 MGM Borgata final, having scored post two versus number four for his main rival. The Blue Chip Matchmaker final will go first on the 11-race Monday Yonkers program and driver-trainer Pat Lachance loves his chances behind Lit De Rose. "She's as good as she's ever been," Lachance said on Wednesday following the draw. "I'm going to have to push hard out of there and would like to be on the front, but there's a few in the field that can probably leave a little faster than she can." Fortunately for Lachance, his 9-year-old Quebec-bred mare is capable of racing in any fashion required and generally getting the best results. With 50 career wins to her credit, Lit De Rose appears equally adept whether on the point or off the pace. "You can leave with her. You can come first-up with her. You can make one big run with her. It doesn't matter," said Lachance, who has had the opportunity to drive and train the gifted mare since late 2021. In Monday's final Lit De Rose faces a field of eight, with half returning from last year's finale. Lit De Rose was second to the Linda Toscano-trained Amazing Dream N in that contest, with Lachance hopeful for a better result this time. "I'm glad Mikala drew post seven," said Lachance of the mare he believes is the biggest threat. "She's competed on the Grand Circuit and done well in some big races." Mikala captured two of the four legs she appeared in during the preliminary rounds of the series and certainly has the speed and class to overcome the draw for trainer Nik Drennan and driver George Brennan. Dougs Babe A, third in last year's final, drew post four this year looking for a better result. Dougs Babe A competed in all five preliminary legs and was on the board in each, winning just once for trainer Nifty Norman and driver Dexter Dunn. Coachellabound N (post two) has improved as the series has progressed, with a pair of seconds followed by a victory in leg five of the series. Ricky Bucci trains the imported daughter of Sweet Lou with Yannick Gingras set to drive. Incaseyoudidntknow (post five) and Karma Seelster (post six) were both unplaced in last year's final and were not aided by the draw this time around. Completing the eight mares that will contest the Blue Chip Matchmaker final are Tony's Mom (post three) and Delitfulcatherin N (post eight). Unlike some others, Lachance raced Lit De Rose in all five legs. "She races best that way and I felt that there were going to be 10 days between the last leg and the final and that would be good for her," said Lachance. ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter It's been nearly two years since Linedrive Hanover and Desperate Man met with something major on the line. Back in 2022, the then 4-year-olds put it all out on the line in a memorable edition of the Charles Juravinski at Flamboro Downs, with Linedrive Hanover going wire-to-wire in a 1:49 mile and Desperate Man settling for second after starting his journey from post eight. The two will be closer at the start and maybe at the finish as well following a draw that puts Linedrive Hanover (post two) a shade inside his rival Desperate Man from post four in the $457,000 MGM Borgata final carded as race eight on Monday. The two horses earned their reputations first in Ontario, with Desperate Man capturing the 2021 North America Cup in dramatic fashion. Linedrive Hanover's racing career took a bit more time to gain traction, but in 2022 he quickly became part of the elite older pacers of his generation. The two collide on Monday with both appearing at the top of their games once again. "He's been rock-solid since we started bringing him back," said Linda Toscano of Linedrive Hanover. Linedrive Hanover won three of four preliminary legs in the series and faced Desperate Man just once, finishing second to him in the second leg when the two drew the identical post positions they landed for the final. Toscano hopes things might be a bit different four weeks later in Monday's final. "Scottie [Zeron] was content to sit behind him and he got the jump on us," said Toscano of the only defeat Linedrive Hanover has suffered this year. Toscano will be looking for her first MGM Borgata victory in her illustrious Hall of Fame career. "This is a tough series, and I went into it hoping that we could get into the final and skip a leg along the way," said Toscano. "It worked out great and he was able to get a good mile in before the final." The 1:51 2/5 effort with a 27-second final quarter gave all the impression that Linedrive Hanover would be razor-sharp for the final. Trainer Travis Alexander also rested his prized pupil, with Desperate Man skipping leg five following four consecutive victories. Driver Matt Kakaley has fit in seamlessly behind the son of Shadow Play and managed to find the front and stay there without appearing to work up a sweat. "That was always the plan," said Alexander on missing the final leg of the Borgata. "He trained [Wednesday] morning at Pocono before the qualifiers and is ready for whatever they may bring." There will be six others in the field hoping to unseat the favorites, with two returning from last year's MGM Borgata final. Hellabalou (post five) was an upset winner from post five a year ago, but his fortunes have not been the same thus far in 2024. The Ron Burke-trained son of Sweet Lou has gone winless in six starts this year and now lands outside the favorites. Covered Bridge (post one) won just once in five preliminary legs but finds the best spot in the field while looking to improve upon his third-place finish last year. Rounding out the field for the MGM Borgata final will be Whats Stanley Got A (post three), Coaches Corner (post six), Rocknroll Runa A (post seven) and Dunkin' (post eight). Co-featured on the Monday program at Yonkers will be a pair of $100,000 consolations for the Blue Chip Matchmaker (race five) and the MGM Borgata Series (race six). All four stakes races are part of a $10,000 guaranteed Pick 5 that begins in race five. Post time for the Monday card is 7:00 P.M. (EDT). $457,000 MGM Borgata Pacing Series final (race eight) Post-Horse-Driver-Trainer-Morning Line 1-Covered Bridge-Jordan Stratton-Jeff Gillis 20-1 2-Linedrive Hanover-Scott Zeron-Linda Toscano 8-5 3-Whats Stanley Got A-George Brennan-Cory Stratton 12-1 4-Desperate Man-Matt Kakaley-Travis Alexander 7-5 5-Hellabalou-Yannick Gingras-Ron Burke 12-1 6-Coaches Corner-Jason Bartlett-Per Engblom 5-1 7-Rocknroll Runa A-Mark MacDonald-Larry Stalbaum 20-1 8-Dunkin'-Tim Tetrick-Scott Di Domenico 30-1 $276,200 Blue Chip Matchmaker Series final (race seven) Post-Horse-Driver-Trainer 1-Lit De Rose-Pat Lachance-Pat Lachance 2-1 2-Coachellabound N-Yannick Gingras-Ricky Bucci 3-1 3-Tony's Mom-Jason Bartlett-Per Engblom 6-1 4-Dougs Babe A-Dexter Dunn-Nifty Norman 7-2 5-Incaseyoudidntknow-Tim Tetrick-Cory Stratton 8-1 6-Karma Seelster-Matt Kakaley-Andrew Adamczyk 6-1 7-Miakla-George Brennan-Nik Drennan 9-2 8-Delitfulcatherin N-Jordan Stratton-Jeff Gillis 20-1