Kicking off the fourth leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series, the Quebec-owned mare Lit De Rose and driver/trainer Patrick Lachance rallied boldly to get up in the final stride and win the fastest of the three $40,000 divisions on Friday night (April 7) at MGM Yonkers Raceway. The eight-year-old by Leader Bayama overtook Karma Seelster in the final strides in a 1:52.4 mile to claim her first win in the series following three on-the-board finishes.

Mabalene N and driver Jason Bartlett blasted to the front over 6-5 favourite Gotthegreenlight and Dexter Dunn into the first turn and cut opening-half fractions of :27.4 and :57 under little duress. Approaching the three-quarters mark, Matt Kakaley pulled Karma Seelster from third to attack, with Lachance and Lit De Rose moving to the outside but advancing slowly off cover. Mabalene N hit three-quarters in 1:24.3 but was under intense pressure on the final turn, with Karma Seelster wresting command into the homestretch. Lachance set Lit De Rose in motion and the veteran mare kicked home for the victory by a head over Karma Seelster. Mabalene N third finished third over Gotthegreenlight, who found room to the inside in mid-stretch but failed to respond to urging.

Owned and bred by Guy Corbeil of Mirabel, Que., Lit De Rose was a winner for the second time in 11 starts this year. She is a 37-time winner in her life and her bankroll stands at $728,737.

Lit De Rose returned $4.80 as the second favourite in the field. The exacta was worth $23.80 and the trifecta kicked back $65.

Defending Blue Chip Matchmaker Series champion Drama Act regained winning form after finding a division without the streaking Amazing Dream N to beat. With George Brennan in the bike, Drama Act scored her fifth victory in eight 2023 starts with a 1:53 mile.

With the pole position, Brennan didn't get assertive early and instead allowed Man Dontforget Me and Matt Kakaley to cross over into the first turn. Delitfulcatherin N and Wahs Fire Bug N both had thoughts of getting the front at the outset, with the Jordan Stratton-driven Delitfulcatherin N going forward on the opening bend and Wahs Fire Bug N, with Tyler Buter in the bike, retreating after a brief leaving move. Delitfulcatherin N cleared the lead before the quarter, but within an instant Brennan moved Drama Act with purpose and took control shortly past the :26.4 opening quarter. 

Sent off as the prohibitive 1-20 favourite, Drama Act was able to back the half to :56.4 before Gias Surreal, with Dexter Dunn, began a methodical first-over assault. Off a reasonable 1:25.1 three-quarters, the outer tier disappeared into the final turn and only Delitfulcatherin N had a chance to run down the favourite. Under left handed urging by Stratton, Delitfulcatherin N looked to gain momentum to pass Drama Act, but Brennan's mare had something in reserve and prevailed by a head with a :27.4 final quarter. Delitfulcatherin N settled for second, with early leader Man Dontforget Me back in third.

Now with two wins and a second in four series starts, Drama Act assured herself a position in the April 24 final with the victory for trainer Ron Burke and owner/breeder The OK Corral of Hampshire, Illinois. The win was the six-year-old Well Said mare's 34th of her career and she has now earned $892,172.

Drama Act paid $2.10 to win and was atop a $6.10 exacta and a $24.20 trifecta. 

Dougs Babe A became the first mare to upend Amazing Dream N in a thrilling finish, getting her nose in front in a 1:53.2 mile for driver Dexter Dunn. The six-year-old daughter of Western Terror won for the second straight week in the series for trainer Nifty Norman.

Majorca N and Dougs Babe A both left with purpose outside the inside favourite Amazing Dream N and driver Yannick Gingras. Corey Callahan had Majorca N claim the front from the favourite on the opening bend and then was under immediate attack from Dunn and Dougs Babe A. Gingras had Amazing Dream N out before the quarter and attacked Dougs Babe A to claim the top past the :27.2 opening marker.

Gingras was able to get a healthy breather, hitting the half in :57.3 before Incaseyoudidnknow and Andrew McCarthy started their first-over grind. A 1:25.3 three-quarters kept Amazing Dream N in complete control and the Linda Toscano-trained mare started her sprint on the final turn, leaving the outer flank out of contention. In the homestretch Dougs Babe A kicked out of the pocket and charged sharply to get up on the wire. Amazing Dream N fought bravely but lost a close photo, with Incaseyoudidnknow holding resolutely for third.

Dougs Babe A likely assured herself a spot in the final with the win for owners Tom Vassiliou, Nicholas Tallarico, Patricia Stable and Enzed Racing Stable. Arriving in North American for the series, she made her 13th appearance in the winner's circle and has now pocketed $193,026.

Dougs Babe A returned $8.20 to win and keyed a $14.20 exacta and a $28.40 trifecta.

Preliminary round action in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series will wrap up next Friday (April 14) before a $125,000 added final that should go for at least $250,000 on April 24. The final of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series and companion consolation races for both events will also occur that night.

Stakes action will resume on Monday night (April 10) at MGM Yonkers Raceway with three $50,000 splits of the third leg of the MGM Borgata Series for free-for-all pacers. Trotters will also be in action next week as the John Brennan Series continues with five $25,000 sections of the second round on Wednesday (April 12).

MGM Yonkers Raceway is currently operating on a Monday through Friday live racing schedule with post time at 7 p.m. (EDT).

(With files from Yonkers Raceway)