Yonkers Raceway's Blue Chip Matchmaker for Open Mares began Friday night, with a quartet of $40,000 sojourns for the sisterhood
.
Millionairess Chancey Lady (Jason Bartlett) left nothing to chance in the series opener, dusting six rivals in a spiffy 1:54.1. Leaving from post position four, she led through intervals of 27.4, :57 and 1:24.4. Up by 2-1/2 lengths turning for home in a strung-out field, Chancey Lady defeated timid 5-2 choice Headpoles R Us (Cat Manzi) and Giveittoemstaight (George Brennan) was a another three lengths back in third.
Chancey Lady, a six-year-old daughter of Camluck owned by Baron Racing and trained by Don Campbell, returned $7.20.
Defending series champ Ginger and Fred (Gingras) showed off those dancing hooves in the second Matchmaker event, two-moving (two-stepping?) to the winner's circle. Dropping in fourth from post six, the 3-10 choice made the lead around Park Avenue (Eric Goodell) between a :28-second opening quarter and a :57.2 half. From that point (1:26.1, 1:54.3) there were no issues for this seven-figure lass.
Ginger and Fred held Park Avenue at bay, winning by 1-1/2 lengths. Omen Hanover (Jim Pantaleano) took home the show dough.
Ginger and Fred, a five-year-old Real Artist mare trained by Ron Burke for co-owners Taylor, Feldman, Gold and Silva, returned $2.60.
The third Matchmaker meet-and-greet found Tomorrowpan (Dave Miller) - leaving from outside her six foes - lasting on a soft lead. (:28., 57.4, 1:27) and prevailing by a neck in 1:55.4. Breakheart Pass (Gingras), the 6-5 choice, was second, with the dead-heat duo of Farmers Tuition (Manzi) and Hulas Z Tam (Pat Lachance) finishing third.
Tomorrowpan, a five-year-old daughter of No Pan Intended owned by Steve Calhoun and trained by Casie Coleman, returned $6.10 for her fourth win in seven seasonal efforts.
Friday night's final Matchmaker division saw Save My Shark (Pantaleano) - leaving from post five after an inside defection - take it the distance (:28.2, :58.1, 1:25.4, 1:54.4). Even-money On the Glass (Gingras) photoed Jasperthat A (Manzi) for the runner-up award.
Save My Shark, a five-year-old daughter of Four Starzzz Shark trained by Tony Alagna for co-owners Frank Dettore Horse Racing, Jim Arledge and Joe Sbrocco, returned $12 (third choice) for her fourth win in eight seasonal starts.
Friday night's $32,500 Open Handicap Trot was won by Cold Winner (Gingras, $13) in 2:04 for the mile-and-one-sixteenth.
Friday's card also featured five, $12,500 divisions in the second round of the Petticoat Pacing Series for three and four-year-old fillies and mares.
The winners were:
- Mystical Diva (by Western Ideal); co-owners Mystical Marker Farms, Sandra Dyer, Louis Willinger - trainer Alagna - driver Pantaleano - 1:56.4 - $4.90
- Lorrie Please (by Western Ideal); co-owners Alan & Ira Kaplan, David Sheib - trainer Mike Hall - driver Bartlett - 1:55.1 - $2.10
- HFs Super Star (by Dags); owner Roger Roland - trainer Rob Harmon - driver Manzi -1:54.4 - $2.40
- Pure Desire (by Real Desire); owner Scott Pushard - trainer Heidi Rohr - driver Brennan - 1:56.2 - $16.40
- Someone like You (by I Am A fool); owner/trainer Mike Vanderkemp - driver Brennan - 1:56.4 - $3.70
Saturday night's stakes agenda includes the beginning of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series, as well as the second leg of the Sagamore Hill Pacing Series (three and four-year-old colts/geldings). Six divisions in each series are on tap.
(Yonkers Raceway)