YR - FEELING YOU WINS $285,000 FINAL OF BLUE CHIP MATCHMAKER

BY FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway

YONKERS, NY, Saturday, April 27, 2013--It was the trip Tyler Buter wanted, so he and his escort graciously obliged.

Feeling You prevailed from the pocket Saturday night, winning Yonkers Raceway's $285,000 final of the Blue Chip Matchmaker.

The event, culminated a six-week series for the best pacing mares in training, had Feeling You in play from the pylons. She stung Camille (Yannick Gingras)--part of the 11-10 favored entry--then released her rival just after a 28-second opening quarter-mile. All the while, double-millionairess Anndrovette (Tim Tetrick), saddled with the eight-hole, had left hard for a seat fourth, behind Eighthunrdolarbill (Brian Sears).

After a 57-second intermission, Anndrovette was out and moving again. She amplified the action to the tune of a :27.3 third quarter (1:24.3), with Camille fending her off...for the moment.

 Camille owned a length lead in and out of the final, but interlopers were coming. Anndrovette was relentless, while Feeling You awaited her close-up. The latter lass edged inward, whipping a tenacious Anndrovette by a half-length in 1:52.4. Camille faded to third--photoed by Anndrovette--with Ramona Disomma (Dan Dube) and Anndrovette's barn buddy, Krispy Apple (Matt Kakaley), grabbing the remainder.

 (As the luck of the open draw would have it, Anndrovette and Levy finalist Something for Doc, both piled up more prelim points than any of their rivals, and both draw eight-holes for their respective finals.)

Last season's Matchmaker winner, Camille entrymate Rocklamation (George Brennan), Warrawee Koine (Jason Bartlett) and Eighthunrdolarbill rounded out the order.

Feeling You, a 6-year-old daughter of Cambest bred by Alan Kirschenbaum, trained by Amber Buter for co-owners Buter the driver, Stephen Oldford and Oldford Farms, returned $6.10 (second choice) for her sixth win in nine seasonal starts. The exacta paid $17, with the triple returning $23.40.

 

"She's as good now as at any time since she's been with us," Tyler Buter said. "She swells up when she gets a trip, and she did again tonight. To beat mares like Camille and Anndrovette is a big honor.

Honestly, we so were concentrated on this series, I can't say what's next for her. She's earned some time off, then we can take a look."  

A $75,000 series consolation was won by Handsoffmycookie (Tetrick, $8.20) in 1:53.3.