Yonkers Hosts Matchmaker Sequel

4-2-10 Fleur De Lil A-Matchmaker 2nd leg-Tom Berg pix.jpg

Round Two of Yonkers Raceway's Blue Chip Matchmaker Series led the Friday frolics, with three, $40,000 sewing circles for mares going at it

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Fleur De Lil A upset in the first division as the sixth choice, proving more than ready for her first pari-mutuel start since mid-December.

The seven-year-old Down Under Armbro Operative lass, who was sent off at odds of 12-1, picked off dueling favourites Mcgibson and On the Glass. Leaving from post position two, Fleur De Lil A angled out and measured off, winning by a half-length in 1:53.3 for driver Mike Vanderkemp. Noel Daley trained for owner Luke McCarthy. On The Glass won the battle but lost the war, getting second over Mcgibson.

Ubetterthink Think doubled her series pleasure, once again beating the gate and beating her rivals. Leaving from post five, Ubetterthink Think took advantage of a fumbly-gaited favourite in Go on BB, then went to the second-division house in 1:55 for driver Brandon Simpson. Ramona Disomma rallied to grab second, beaten a length and three-quarters, with Symphony in Motion third.

For Ubetterthink Think, a six-year-old Bettors Delight miss trained by Mark Ford for owner Bob Di Nozzi, she picked up her third win of the season in 13 tries.

Friday night's final Matchmaker event found trainer Ford, who swept all three opening-round affairs, getting his second win of the second leg.

Classy lass Shanghai Lil, last season's Lady Maud victress with a two-hole trip, once again pounced from the pocket.

Sitting a two-hole from post two, Shanghai Lil and driver Stephane Bouchard watched as even-money favourite Call Me Yours battled with Mach You and Me. Meanwhile, Shanghai Lil was all dressed in her Easter best, waiting for some place to go.

And go she did, ducking inside and getting home by three-quarters of a length in 1:54.2, with Mach You and Me second and Quicksilvercandy A third. Call Me Yours faded to seventh.

Shanghai Lil, a four-year-old daughter of Jennas Beach Boy owned by All Star Racing, was sent off as the 7-5 second choice in the wagering. The victory was the first of the season for the mare.

Friday's card also included the third (final) preliminary round of the Petticoat Pacing Series for three and four-year-old fillies and mares.

The quartet of $12,500 divisions went to Docdor Libby (1:55.4), Fiesta Camcun (1:55.2), Fox Valley Dazzle (1:57.3) and Im All Country (1:56.1).

Friday'S $32,000 co-featured Open Handicaps for trotters and distaff pacers were won by Beach Nut Brand (1:57.1) and Monochromatic (1:53.4).

The second round of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series goes Saturday night, with another half-dozen, $50,000 divisions.

(Yonkers Raceway)

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