BY FRANK DRUCKER,
Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY, Saturday, April 26, 2014—It
did rain Saturday night, but whether there was a rainbow afterward was
uncertain.
What was not up for debate was
Somwherovrarainbow (Brian Sears), who parlayed a pocket trip, winning Yonkers
Raceway’s $371,400 final of the Blue Chip Matchmaker.
The Raceway’s marquee event for Open
Mares saw the open draw shake out well for series points leader
Yagonnakissmeornot (Dan Dube). Leaving from post position No. 2, the 3-5 fave
had minimal issues getting around pole-squatting “Somwher.”
It was soggy
sub-stations of :27 and :55.4 before last season’s victress, Feeling You (Tyler
Buter), was first to move from sixth. Then, Anndrovette (Tim Tetrick) slipped
out from fourth while Yagonnakissmeornot found three-quarters in 1:23.4.
The lead was a
length-and-a-half entering the lane. However, the people’s preference would be
unable to close the sale. She bored out entering the lane, allowing
Somwherovrarainbow more than ample acreage. The latter ducked in and edged past
the former, winning by three-quarters of a length in 1:52.3. Third went to a
rallying Krispy Apple (Jason Bartlett), with Anndrovette—those two coupled in
the wagering—and Rocklamation (Yannick Gingras) completing the cashers.
Feeling You,
Summertime Lea (Matt Kakaley)—Rocklamation’s partner—and Angel’s Delight
(George Brennan) rounded out the order.
For second choice Somwherovrarainbow, a
4-year-old daughter of Somebeachsomewhere trained by Joe Holloway for co-owners
Ted Gewertz and Diamond Creek Racing, she returned $6.90 for her fourth win in
six seasonal starts. The exacta paid $10.80, with the triple returning $27.80.
“You never quite know how the race is
going to play out,” Sears said. “I thought Anndrovette might leave, but
obviously I had no problem sitting a two-hole.
“She’s had some foot issues and Joe
(Holloway) made a shoeing change. I was a bit concerned going around the first
turn, but she was smooth as silk. She’s going to be a tough mare going
forward.”
The victory in the sixth—and
richest--Matchmaker makes “Somwher” harness racing’s newest millionairess
($1,138,009).
A $75,000 series consolation was won by
Fashion Mystery (Eric Carlson, $43.80) in 1:55.4.
The Raceway's five-night-per-week live schedule continues, with first post
every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7:10 PM. Evening
simulcasting accompanies all live programs, with afternoon
