Yonkers Raceway played host to the fifth and final preliminary round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series on Friday night with a trio of $40,000 divisions for pacing mares.
In the first division, Ramalama (Yannick Gingras, $5.80), part of a three-headed Ron Burke-trained entry, prevailed from the pocket. After pole-sitting Warrawee Koine (Jason Bartlett) seated everyone (:28.1, :56.4), Ramalama played along from post position No. 2. Eighthunrdolarbill (Brian Sears) pulled from third, going nowhere toward the 1:25 three-quarters. That compromised a second-up Ginger And Fred (Matt Kakaley), who went wide to nowhere. Meanwhile, 4-5 choice Anndrovette (Tim Tetrick), who floated into an early five-hole, was minding her business while improving her position. Warrawee Koine owned a two-length lead into the lane, with Ramalama -- who tired badly on the lead a week ago -- edging out and gaining. She whipped a pylon-skimming Anndrovette by a head in 1:53.1. Warrawee Koine faded to third.
For Ramalama, a four-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight co-owned by her trainer (as Burke Racing), Weaver Bruscemi and Our Horse Cents Stable, it was her second win (entry was second choice) in six seasonal starts (two-for-five in series). The exacta paid $10.40, with the triple returning $26.40.
The lasses left in post order (:28.2, :56.3, 1:25) in the second division, which played to the advantage of Handsoffmycookie (Tetrick). 'Cookie' had only token, first-up pressure from longshot Western Silk (catch-driver Bartlett), but 8-5 Feeling You (Tyler Buter, $5.50) was waiting her turn in behind. Feeling You first went in, then out, going by Handsoffmycookie and winning by a half-length in 1:52.3. Handsoffmycookie held second over Krispy Apple (Kakaley), with that one making a break nearing the wire. Krispy Apple crossed the line third, but was set down to fourth after being lapped on to Rocklamation (Gingras).
Second choice Feeling You, a six-year-old daughter of Cambest trained by Amber Buter for co-owners Buter the driver, Stephen Oldford and Oldford Farms, has five win in eight seasonal starts (three-for-five in series). The exacta paid $16.60, with the triple returning $37.80.
Darena Hanover (Gingras) and Keepers Destiny (Sears) played leapfrog on the lead during a :27.3 opening quarter-mile in the third split. 'Darena,' part of the 9-10 favoured entry, found a :57-second intermission before the fresh Lasix of Ramona Disomma (Dan Dube, $6.90), from post No. 5, took out of fifth. That one cut into the margin of the leader through the 1:25.1 three-quarters, then kept on keepin' on. She won by a length and quarter in 1:53.3. Second went to Keeepers Destiny with Darena Hanover tiring to third.
Third choice Ramona Disomma, a homebred eight-year-old daughter of Pacific Fella owned by Anatolia Racing Stable and trained by Rene Allard, is now four-for-nine this season (two-for-four in series). The exacta paid $27.40, with the triple returning $48.80.
The leading eight Matchmaker point-earners were: Anndrovette (325), Feeling You (308), Camille (275), Rocklamation (274), Krispy Apple (270), Ramalama (255), Ginger and Fred (232) and Bettor B Lucky (220). The "second eight" include Warrawee Koine (212.5), Eighthunrdolarbill (205), Ramona Disomma (200), Royal Cee Cee N (199.5), Rock N Soul (167), Handsoffmycookie (163), Full Picture (162) and Docs Hope (152).
Please note that these are not necessarily the entrants for the Apr. 27 final ($285,000) and consolation ($75,000), until determined by the race office.
Friday night's $38,500 Open Handicap Trot was won by eight-hole assignee Imperial Count (Buter, $7.70) in 1:56.
Saturday's card features the fifth (final) round of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series, going as four $50,000 divisions.
(With files from Yonkers Raceway)