Mares Complete Round One of Matchmaker

YONKERS, NY— Yonkers Raceway held the opening round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker on March 23, one of the first major tangos of the stakes season. There were five divisions that totaled in $200,000 in purses.

Mystical Diva got the pocket trip and came up the passing lane to win the first division in 1:52.3. Breakheart Pass closed on the middle of the racetrack to finish second and Keepers Destiny faded to third.

Mystical Diva went for the lead, with Cannae Cammie and Keepers Destiny going as well. Keepers Destiny was first over and took the lead from Mystical Diva at the eighth pole. Keepers Destiny took them by the quarter in :27.2.

Into the turn, nobody wanted to venture first over until the top of the stretch. Oceans Motion came first over, Krispy Apple followed and Breakheart Pass was third over. Keepers Destiny took them by the half in :56.4 (:29.2).

Into the clubhouse turn, Oceans Motion challenged Keepers Destiny for the top approaching the three-quarter marker. Krispy Apple was starting to fan out three wide and Breakheart Pass was prepared to follow. Keepers Destiny lead the way at three-quarters in 1:24.1 (:27.2).

At the top of the stretch, Keepers Destiny had to fend off Oceans Motion and Mystical Diva, who was coming up the passing lane. Krispy Apple was closing three wide and Breakheart Pass was eating ground in the middle of the racetrack. Down to the finish, Mystical Diva got passed Keepers Destiny and held off Breakheart Pass. Keepers Destiny was third, Oceans Motion was fourth, Krispy Apple was fifth, Synergy Seelster was sixth and Cannae Cammie was seventh.

Western Silk showed she was way better than the bunch by winning by 2 lengths in a 1:52.3 mile. Naughtytiltheend was second and Summer Snow was third.

New Album took the lead, with Naughtytiltheend in second and Summer Snow in third. They were in post position order at the quarter in :27.2. They stayed that way by the half in :57.4 (:30.2).

Western Silk came first over from fourth heading to the clubhouse turn. Cuz She Can attempted to follow her, but couldn’t keep up. She moved back into the pocket in fifth. Western Silk cleared the top at the five-eighths and Naughtytiltheend came first over, then sat in second. Summer Snow came first over at three-quarters in 1:25.1 (:27.2).

At the top of the stretch, Western Silk had an easy lead. Naughtytiltheend was giving chase in second and Summer Snow was on the outside in third. Western Silk won it easy at the wire. Naughtytiltheend was second, Summer Snow was third, New Album was fourth, Queen Of Royalty was fifth, Cuz She Can was sixth and On The Glass finished seventh.

Rocklamation destroyed this field in a 1:53.2 effort. Hula’s Z Tam closed to finish second and Anndrovette settled for third.

Jk Owhatanite blasted from post 6 to take the lead, with Anndrovette in second and Up Front Kellie Jo was in third. Jk Owhatanite took them by the quarter in :27.2. Heading into the turn, Anndrovette fanned two wide, but went back inside at the top of the stretch. In the back, Pancleefandarpels came first over and Rocklamation followed. Jk Owhatanite went by the half in :56.3 (:29.1).

Jk Owhatanite lead the way approaching the three-quarter marker. Pancleefandarpels applied pressure in second and Anndrovette was buried in third. Rocklamation started her three wide journey at three-quarters in 1:25.1 (:28.3).

At the top of the stretch, Rocklamation had a 3 length lead on Anndrovette and a closing Hula’s Z Tam. Down to the finish, Rocklamation held on to win. Hula’s Z Tam finished second, Anndrovette was third, Pancleefandarpels was fourth, Up Front Kellie Jo was fifth, Latin Lyric was sixth and Jk Owhatanite finished seventh.

P Note Blue Chip blew by Symphony In Motion to win the fourth division of the Blue Chip Matchmaker. Symphony In Motion finished second, Fox Valley Sage was third and Keystone Katherine finished fourth.

Symphony In Motion took the lead, with Shacked Up a first over second and P Note Blue Chip was in third. Shacked Up cleared the lead at the eighth and went by the quarter in :28.1.

At the top of the stretch, Keystone Katherine came first over from sixth and Itstimeformetofly followed second over. Shacked Up had no pressure by the half in :58 (:29.4).

Approaching the three-quarter marker, P Note Blue Chip came first over and Keystone Katherine stuggled to keep up. Shacked Up was under pressure at three-quarters in 1:26.3 (:28.3).

Shacked Up was being dug in on at the top of the stretch. Symphony In Motion came up the passing lane and so did Fox Valley Sage. Keystone Katherine was closing on the outside. Down to the wire, P Note Blue Chip took the lead and won it by 2 lengths. Symphony In Motion was second, Fox Valley Sage was third, Keystone Katherine was fourth, Shacked Up was fifth, Myluvmylife was sixth, Itstimeformetofly was seventh and Best Boss was eighth.

The nightcap of the Matchmakers was a thriller as See You At Peelers and Chancey Lady dead-heated in a 1:52.4 mile. Arctic Fire N finished third and Ginger And Fred was fourth.

Chancey Lady took the lead, with Arctic Fire N in second and Save My Shark in third. Chancey Lady took them by the quarter in :28.1. At the top of the stretch, there was no change in order until the half mile in :56.3 (:28.2).

Save My Shark came first over from third and gained slowly into the turn. See You At Peelers tracked her cover, along with Ginger And Fred. Heading to three-quarters and Chancey Lady shown no signs of giving up. They went by three-quarters in 1:23.4 (:27.1)

 
At the top of the stretch, Chancey Lady lead the way, while Arctic Fire N was coming up the passing lane and See You At Peelers was passing Save My Shark. Down to the finish, Chancey Lady lead the way and See You At Peelers rushed up late with Arctic Fire N. At the finish, See You At Peelers and Chancey Lady won in 1:52.4. Arctic Fire N was third, Ginger And Fred was fourth, Save My Shark was fifth, Billmar Scooter was sixth, All Spirit was seventh and Some Girls Do was eighth.

Older Horses Ready for ‘Crown’

Saturday, October 22 features the best sophomore and elder horses in the Breeders Crown eliminations. Listed below are my picks for tonight’s card.

Race 1 $25,000

Three-Year-Old Filly Trot Elimination

Notes- (2) Don’t Think Twice made a huge jump in class at Lexington and did very well. She is an improving horse and will be under the radar in here. (8) Jezzy took a while to become the winning machine she was earlier this year. She is in a weak field and looks sharp coming into the elimination.

Race 2 $25,000

Three-Year-Old Colt Trot Elimination

Notes- (3) Chapter Seven did really well in the Bluegrass at Lexington. Although he has not done well in Canada, he is doing great coming into here. (5) For You Almostfree has finished fourth or third in most of his starts. He is the big bomber in here and Jamieson may give him a perfect drive, sitting mid-pack.

Race 3 $25,000

Three-Year-Old Colt Trot Elimination

Notes- (4) Can Anyone Explain may be the most reliable horse in the field. You never know what Broad Bahn, Manofmanymissions or Luckycharm Hanover are going to do. “Explain” is so consistent, if he wins, we will be able to buy a six month supply of maple syrup. (8) Big Rigs did well in the Bluegrass at Lexington. If he doesn’t break, he will be in the exacta.

Race 4 $25,000

Three-Year-Old Filly Trot Eliminations

Notes- (5) Magic Wheel has done very well on the WEG cicuit. She knows the track well and should be in the top three. (9) Miss Sue V did well against the top fillies. She may be the big bomb in here.

Race 5 $50,000

Open Pace (Breeders Crown Prep)

Notes- (5) Mach Dreamer is always close to the pace. He can close and knows this track really well. He is sharp coming into this race. (8) St Elmo Hero has been magnificent up in Canada. He’s as sharp as a sword coming into the open.

Race 6 $40,000

Mare Pace Elimination

Notes- (3) On The Glass is no longer in the Ron Burke stable, she is part of team Tony O’Sullivan. She beat all these horses in the Allerage at 29-1. She may bomb again from post three. (9) Rock N Soul drew a good post, under her standards. She does real well when she races from the outside. She redeemed herself at Pocono Downs and raced fantastic in the Spring Of Hope at Mohawk. She fancies this racetrack.

Race 7 $25,000

Three-Year-Old Filly Pace Elimination

Notes- (6) Monkey On My Wheel is a horse to go “bananas” for. She is a local favorite and has dominated the Ontario Sires Stakes circuit. She may get a spot mid-pack and come flying at the wire. (7) Swinging Beauty  has always been in contention. She did well at Lexington and should do well tonight.

Race 8 $30,000

Preferred 2

Notes- (1) Peenie has drawn bad posts in several starts, but is aggressive. He should get an advantage with the rail. (4) Red Bugler also is aggressive. He is close to the winner in most of his tries and may redeem himself tonight.

Race 9 $25,000

Three-Year-Old Filly Pace Elimination

Notes- (4) Pretty Katherine beat Krispy Apple in the New Jersey Sires Stakes at the Meadowlands earlier this year. Although she did bad in the Jugette, she is improving and getting more into contention. (5) Rocklamation has been under the radar most of the year. She lost by a neck to Idyllic in the Jugette and is very sharp right now.

Race 10 $25,000

Three-Year-Old Colt Pace Elimination

Notes- (2) Custard The Dragon is questionable at this point. Team Teague has been doing well right now, but have not had any luck in Canada. “Custard” is looking a bit fresh and may bomb. (4) Mystician is the hometown favorite. He has not left Canada in his lifetime. This may be a good thing as he has gone over the Woodbine oval several times, doing very well.

Race 11 $25,000

Three-Year-Old Colt Pace Elimination

Notes- (1) Prodigal Seelster has been heavily bet in the Ontario Sires Stakes Gold Finals. He has finished on the board in all but one start this year. With all the speed in this race, he may close hard. (6) Fashion Delight came back recently after suffering an injury before the Empire Breeders Classic. He did very well in the Bluegrass at Lexington and the Fashion Farms are hot right now.

Race 12 $20,000

NW $14,000 last 5

Notes- (1) Cole Diddy is making a huge step down back to the company where he was very successful. He also drew the rail, which may help. (6) Pontiac Luck did well in this company from post six at Mohawk in September. She may be strong again from post six.

Race 13 $17,000

NW $9,000 last 5

Notes- (4) Classic Rock Nroll is coming off a bad effort against free for all pacers in the Winbak Pace. Before that, he was victorious in this class at The Meadows. He may be victorious again. (6) Top Gear is making a slight step down from a great effort, not quitting. He may improve tonight.  

Competition Widens in Nadia Lobell

On Monday, August 29, three-year-old filly pacers competed in the $193,150 Nadia Lobell at the Meadows. 

In the Nadia Lobell, Idyllic (American Ideal) upset See You At Peelers (Bettor’s Delight) to win, with Myluvmylife (Rocknroll Hanover) finishing second and Swinging Beauty (Art Major) was third. “Life,” along with Foxy Lady (Real Desire) and “Peelers” all left for the lead heading to the first turn. Peelers cleared the lead at the quarter in :26.1. Idyllic came first over with one lap to go in fifth, giving cover to “Beauty.”

Pretty Katherine (Rocknroll Hanover) went off stride at the half in :53.1 (:27). Peelers had the lead, with Life in second and “Foxy” was in third. Peelers was not challenged at three-quarters in 1:21.1 (:28).

Idyllic came right next to Peelers at the top of the stretch. Idyllic passed Peelers to upset at 5-1. Myluvmylife finished second and Swinging Beauty was third. Foxy Lady, See You At Peelers, Ms Malicious (Art Major), Rocklamation (Rocknroll Hanover) and Pretty Katherine finished fourth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth, respectively.