A half-mile track might not be ideal for Machnhope, but it is difficult to quibble with her results at Yonkers Raceway. In her most recent 11 starts at The Hilltop, the seven-year-old female pacer has hit the board nine times, including three wins.
The biggest of those victories came last April when Machnhope captured the $232,800 Blue Chip Matchmaker championship. On Friday, she returns to Yonkers for the opening of this year’s Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for pacing mares, which features five preliminary rounds ahead of an April 25 final.
This week’s leg attracted 31 mares, resulting in four divisions. Machnhope landed in the first, where she will start from post seven with Andy McCarthy driving for trainer Noel Daley. She is 8-1 on the morning line.
“It’s not her favourite track,” Daley said about Yonkers. “The half is not her specialty. She doesn’t love getting around there, but she made her money there, that’s for sure. Last year, the gods smiled on us, and we drew right (post one) in the final.
“She’s not the sweetest gaited horse in the world. Touch wood, she never makes a break, but she threatens to on a couple of occasions during the mile. We make our money there, but it’s not that pretty. You’re holding your breath a little bit, but she gets it done.”
Machnhope, a daughter of Mach Three-Hope For Life, has won 37 of 127 career races and earned $723,953. Last season, she posted 10 victories in 28 starts and banked $287,217. She is owned by Deo Volente Farms, Tom Pontone and L.A. Express Stable.
“She’s a consistent thing,” said Daley. “She never disgraces herself. She’s a gorgeous mare. She’s a big, beautiful-looking horse. And she’s come back looking better than ever. She looks a million dollars right now.”
Machnhope heads to the Matchmaker off a 1:52.1 win in a conditioned race at The Meadowlands on March 4. In her previous start, she missed the board for the only time in six starts this year, finishing sixth from post six at Yonkers. She was beaten by 1-3/4 lengths.
“I wasn’t disappointed with her,” said Daley. “She’s a bit of a funny mare to drive. She was back in the field and never had a shot at them. She’s better when she’s up there racing aggressively. I’m not blaming the driver; it just didn’t work out for her.”
Daley said Machnhope was not staked to the Grand Circuit beyond the Matchmaker.
“The owners were of two minds whether to breed her or bring her back,” said Daley. “We decided to put her in the Matchmaker, and we’ll see how it pans out from there.
“There are plenty of opportunities for a mare like her to make money running around the overnights. I’ve never considered her to be the best open mare; there have always been better ones when the big races get going. But she is one you would like to own, I’ll put it that way.”
Drama Act is the 2-1 morning-line favourite in Machnhope’s division of the Matchmaker. The favourites in the remaining three splits are McMarkle Sparkle (2-1), Scarlett Hanover (5-2) and Karma Seelster (6-5).
Scarlett Hanover, a four-year-old, is a two-time O’Brien Award winner in Canada and undefeated in six career races on half-mile tracks, including winning last year’s Jugette over 2021 U.S. Horse of the Year Test Of Faith.
The Matchmaker hopefuls also include Blue Ivy, who was second by a neck to Machnhope in last year’s championship, and Soho Burning Love A, who won last year’s Matchmaker consolation event.
“A lot of people took a shot,” said Daley. “It looks like a lot of competitive mares. Someone will step up.”
Racing begins at 6:55 p.m. EDT at Yonkers. For Friday’s complete entries, click here.
(With files from USTA)