FAVES, SECOND CHOICES SECOND TO NONE IN THIRD ROUND OF BLUE CHIP MATCHMAKER

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

YONKERS, NY, Friday, March 29, 2019—Yonkers Raceway’s Blue Chip Matchmaker offered up the third of five preliminary rounds Friday night (March 29^th).

Four, $40,000 groupings of leading lasses were contested, same as a week ago.  

Here was the lay of the land…

First division— Feelin’ Red Hot (George Brennan, $11.60), from post position No. 5, was first to the lead and first to the wire (:27.2, :58, 1:25.4, 1:53.1), picking off 1-5 favorite Apple Bottom Jeans (Corey Callahan) late.  

 There was no visible excuse for the pole-sitting people’s preference, who came in as the only two-time winner in the Matchmaker. She retook from the eventual winner, owned a length-and-a-half lead off the final turn, but missed a neck.

Medusa (Jim Marohn Jr.), Gold Orchid N (Jason Bartlett) and Queen Lostris N (Mark MacDonald) rounded out the payees, while Newborn Sassy (Tim Tetrick) was outrun.

For second choice Feelin’ Red Hot, a 6-year-old Feelin’ Friskie ma’am co-owned (as Burke Racing) by (trainer) Ron Burke and Weaver Bruscemi, she’s now 5-for-10 this season (2-for-3 in Matchmaker with identical win times). The exacta paid $16.80, the triple returned $72.50 and the superfecta paid $182.

Second division—Odds-on Bettor Joy N (Tetrick, $3.50) saw none of her five inside rivals contest the lead, so she dutifully went the distance (:27.3, :56.2, 1:24.4, 1:52.3).  The margin was a widening 3¼ lengths.   

Ideal Lifestyle A (Brennan) moved from third down the backside, was summarily dismissed but did come back for second. Lispatty (MacDonald), Freakonomics (Scott Zeron) and Itty Bitty (Marohn Jr.), came away with the minors, while Sell a Bit N (Stratton) hopefully learned from the experience.

For Bettor Joy N, a 5-year-old Down Under daughter of Bettor’s Delight co-owned by her driver, Richard Poillucci & Jo Ann Looney-King and trained by Jim King Jr., it was her third win in four ’19 tries (2-for-3 in Matchmaker). The exacta (two wagering choices) paid $6, the triple returned $12 and the superfecta paid $31.60. The half-dozen ladies finished in ascending odds order.

“She was awesome and gets around Yonkers very well.” Tetrick said.

Third division—A week after a brutal, three-move trip, Seaswift Joy N (Marohn Jr., $5.20) had a shorter route and a better result.

From penultimate post No. 5, she made an immediate lead, looping even-money choice Don’t Think Twice (Bartlett). The latter then found front, putting up subsections of :27:3, :57.3 and 1:25.2.

Outsider Camera Lady (Matt Kakaley) moved from last by the half, her bid flattening before she gave the leader any grief. Meanwhile, Don’t Think Twice opened a length-and-a-half lead in and out of the final turn.

However, Seaswift Joy N received the memo and closed ranks, edging out to win by a half-length in 1:52.4.

Bettorb Chevron N (Stratton), Angel’s Pride (Brent Holland) and Shezza GNP N (Austin Siegelman) settled for the remainder, while Camera Lady eventually backed away.

For second choice Seaswift Joy N, a 6-year-old Bettor’s Delight Down Under dame owned by Brad Grant and trained by Tony Alagna, it was her fourth win in seven seasonal starts (2-for-3 in Matchmaker). The exacta paid $9, the triple returned $14.40 and the superfecta paid $31.20.

 “She is great,” Marohn Jr. said. “her strongest point of the race was at the wire.

Fourth division—A week removed after her own eight-hole odyssey, defending Matchmaker champ Shartin N (Tetrick, $2.20) left minimal to the imagination.

After pole-sitting Obvious Blue Chip (Zeron) lined ‘em up early, Shartin N—from post No. 3—took over and took off (:27.1, :56, :1:24.3, 1:52.2), cementing a three-length win.

Second went Kaitlyn N (Kakaley), while Caviart Cherie (Joe Bongiorno) Obvious Blue Chip and a first-up Magic Forces (Brennan) settled for the smaller envelopes.

For Shartin N, a 6-year-old millionairess Down Under Tintin in America ma’sm co-owned and trained bv the same fine folks who bring you Bettor Joy N, it was her second win in three season/series starts (same time both wins). The exacta (two wagering choices) paid $4.70, the triple returned $27.80 and the superfecta paid $55.50.

"She's a freakin’ bull," trainer King Jr. said.

Updated Matchmaker standings accompany this release.

Saturday evening’s (March 30^th) third round of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series features five, $50,000 Free-For-All divisions.