Yonkers Raceway Friday night began a new, distaff-only series--the Blue Chip Matchmaker--featuring three $40,000 divisions with some of the finest pacing ladies around
.
Nip N Attack (Jordan Stratton, four winners Friday), the 7-10 choice, had a lot of things working for her in the first start for new connections.
Outdrawing her five, first-division rivals--and with main rival Still Electric (Greg Grismore) jumping it off in the first turn, Nip N Attack had no problems here. She led through divisions of :28.3, :58, 1:26.4 and 1:55, easily defeating Lislea Phia (Ryan Anderson) by two lengths. Whambam N (Jim Marshall III) was another 2 1/2 lengths back in third.
For Nip N Attack, a five-year-old daughter of On The Attack co-owned by Susan Oakes or Wilkes-Barre and Chuck Pompey Archbald, Pennsylvania and trained by Chris Oakes, she paid $3.40 for her fourth win in 10 seasonal starts. The exacta paid $43.80, with the triple returning $222.
The second Matchmaker get-together saw Pancleefandarpels (Stratton) go first-up-and-over even-money fave Go On BB (Grismore), then invoke the slaughter rule. She won by 5 3/4 lengths in a season's-best 1:54.
Go On BB, looped early by Ball Gown A (Cat Manzi, four winners Friday), found the front with fractions of :28.2, :57.4 and 1:26. However, she was powerless to stall the winner, who left from post position No. 5 and moved from last in the six-horse field.
It was the third consecutive (local) victory for Pancleefandarpels. Omen Hanover (Eric Abbatiello) was third, beaten 6 3/4 lengths.
For "Pancleef," a five-year-old daughter of Noble Ability, owned by Peter Pan Stables of Pepper Pike, Ohio and trained by Erv Miller, she paid $5.10 (second choice) for her fourth win in eight seasonal starts. The exacta paid $11.80, with the triple returning $38.80.
The final Matchmaker melange saw millionairess Chancey Lady (Manzi) earn $20,000 for a public workout. Dispatched as the 2-5 choice from post No. 2, Chancey Lady gave none of her six foes a chance.
Sailing through isolated intervals of :27.1 :55.3 and 1:23.1, Chancey Lady opened up eight lengths turning for home before being eased to 4 1/4 lengths at the 1:52.2 wire. That effort was just one-fifth of a second off the track record for four-year-old pacing mares. J K Pure Pearl (Jason Bartlett) was second, with Jans Luck (Grismore) third, beaten 9 1/2 lengths.
For Chancey Lady, a daughter of Camluck owned by Niele Jiwan of Burnaby, B.C. and trained by Mark Kesmodel, she paid $2.80 for her third win in nine '09 tries. The victress led an $11 exacta and $32.40 triple.
The undercard offered four, $12,500 divisions in Round 2 of the Petticoat Pacing Series for three and four-year-old fillies and mares.
• Cheyenne Margie, 3 (by Western Hanover); (lessee) The Cheyenne Gang/trainer Robbie Siegelman/driver Manzi; 1:57.3/$3.20;
• Orphan Annie, 4 (by Sportsmaster); co-owners Burke Racing, Starr Jr, Haas Jr., Baldachino/trainer Ron Burke/driver Greg Grismore; 1:56/$3.20;
• Tracys Song, 4 (by Astreos); co-owners Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi/trainer Burke/driver Grismore; 1:55.3/$3.20;
• SS Derby Girl, 4 (by Firm Belief); owner Ian Fromowitz/trainer Jody Dunning/driver Stratton; 1:56.1/$5.90.
Friday night's $31,000 Open Handicap Trot was won by American Lane (Manzi, $4.60) in 1:57.1 for a sixth seasonal victory.
The George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series, the Raceway's premier Free-For-All event, begins Saturday night with four $50,0000 divisions. The 11-race card also includes six, $12,500 trials in Round 2 of the Sagamore Hill Pacing Series for three and four-year-olds.
(Yonkers)