BY
FRANK DRUCKER, Publicity Director, Empire City @ Yonkers Raceway
YONKERS, NY,
Friday, April 6, 2018—With series starlets Shartin N, Twinkle and defending
champ Mackenzie A getting the week off, Yonkers Raceway Friday night (Apr. 6th)
presented the fourth round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker.
Three, $40,000
events again brought together many of the best pacing mares, all of whom were
thrilled the three queens abdicated this time around. Thus, some previous
understudies stepped to the fore.
First Division—A compact quintet
(after a defection) saw a last-to-first late lunge by Scandalicious (Tim
Tetrick, $16.80) in 1:53.4.
From post position
No. 4 (in one notch), Scandalicious was content to watch Eclipse Me N (Dan
Dube) throw it down (:26.4, :56). Miss Irish Rose A (Larry Stalbaum) left into
the pocket, while 9-10 favorite Lady Shadow (Jason Bartlett) was away fourth.
That one was out
toward the 1:24.3 three-quarters, needing some first-up reminders. Eclipse Me N
maintained a length-and-a-half lead into the lane, but her rivals were about to
conduct an intervention.
Scandalicious, who
didn’t leave the cones until past the three-quarters, paced over her four
foes, snapping Miss Irish Rose A by a nose. Lady Shadow, though never a threat
to win, did continue to grab third, beaten a length-and-a-quarter. Eclipse Me N
faded to fourth.
For third choice
Scandalicious, a 7-year-old daughter of American Ideal owned by JFE Enterprises
and trained by Scott DiDomenico, it was her first win in 11 seasonal starts
(1-for-4 in series). The exacta paid $87.50, with triple wagering cancelled due
to the short field.
Second Division—Medusa (Yannick
Gingras, $12.40) was hard-used to make the lead, then just lasted (:27, :56.4,
1:25.2, 1:54) over a surging Clear Idea (Mark MacDonald).
From post No. 5,
Medusa found herself shut out of an early seat by polester Dewar N Soda
(Tetrick). She then drove past 11-10 fave Call Me Queen Be (Scott Zeron),
stealing a self-serving soft second quarter.
Call Me Queen Be
pulled pocket before the three-quarters, but was repelled.
Medusa had a
length-and-a-half advantage in and out of the final turn, and she’d need it.
Clear Idea closed quickly from second-over, missing a head. Call Me Queen Be
did save the bottom of the ticket.
For third
choice Medusa, a 7-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight co-owned by Keystoners
Randy Bendis & Tom Pollack and trained by Ed Hart, it was her first win in
six ’18 tries (1-for-4 in series). The exacta paid $53, with the triple
returning $132.50.
Third
Division---Lakeisha Hall (George Brennan, $5.60) doubled
her series pleasure, going the distance (:27.2, :57, 1:25.3, 1:54.1).
From post No.
2, Lakeisha Hall went up and over pole-sitting Motu Moonbeam N (Brent Holland).
Safe from Terror (Jordan Stratton), as the 8-5 choice, tried to leave, but was
forced to slip in fourth.
Safe from
Terror moved again down the backside, only pacing in place before tiring.
Meanwhile, Lakeisha Hall opened to a length-and-a-half entering the lane. Motu
Moonbeam N edged from the pocket, from never came close to reaching. The margin
was a length in a tick faster than the winner’s effort a week ago. with
Dude’salady (Tetrick) third.
For second
choice Lakeisha Hall, a 5-year-old daughter of Three Straight co-owned (as
Burke Racing) by (trainer) Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi and Jack Piatt II,
she’s 2-for-4 this season (and series). The exacta paid $10.80, with the triple
returning $65.
Saturday
night (Apr.7th) offers a trio of $50,000 divisions of
Free-for-Allers in the fourth round of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing
Series.
