Blue Ivy didn't get all of the respect on the toteboard, but the five-year-old mare had her say in a powerhouse performance, capturing the first of two $35,000 Blue Chip Matchmaker divisions on Friday night at Yonkers Raceway.
Sent off as the surprising 7-5 second choice, Tyler Buter put Blue Ivy into the three-hole entering the first turn as 3-5 favourite Keep Rockin A made the lead easily for Tim Tetrick and marched to the quarter in :27.4. With just five in the field, Tetrick was able to back down the pace with the Jim King, Jr.-trained import, who was in search of his first series victory. The slow half didn't shake Buter in the least as he waited to midway down the backstretch to energize Blue Ivy. It didn't take more than 50 yards for Blue Ivy to engulf and dispose of Keep Rockin A, as that mare slowed markedly into the final turn.
After three-quarters in 1:25, Blue Ivy kicked home in :28 and scored by open lengths in a 1:53 mile. Monica Gallagher (Jason Bartlett) was able to come up the pylons late to secure the place spot, with Caviart Cherie (Matt Kakaley) third in the mile.
It was Blue Ivy's second win in the series, to go along with two second-place finishes, for trainer Todd Buter. Owned by Renee Bercury, Blue Ivy, a five-year-old daughter of Captaintreacherous, paid $4.80 for the victory.
The upsets continued in the second Blue Chip Matchmaker division as Siesta Beach (Kakaley) rallied from last on the final turn and rolled past the betting favourites to score her first series victory in a 1:54.3 clocking.
Snobbytown and driver George Brennan out-left two others to gain control nearing the opening quarter, as Bettors Heart N and driver Dexter Dunn yielded the front. Snobbytown had the lead in :27.4, and Brennan was keen to back things down, reaching the half in :57.3 as Bettors Heart N lagged behind her in second.
Dbldelitebrigade N and Todd McCarthy pulled on the third turn to challenge, towing the 1-5 favourite Machnope with her, but the cover wasn't worth much as Snobbytown marched off with a snappy :28.1 third quarter. The acceleration forced driver Andrew McCarthy to send two-leg winner Machnhope three-deep passing three-quarters to gain into contention. Siesta Beach and Kakaley used that cover through the final turn and tipped wider into the homestretch to gain a clear chance.
It was a thrilling finish, with Snobbytown and Brennan working hard to maintain the lead, but powerless to stall the closers, with Siesta Beach, a five-year-old daughter of American Ideal, doing the best work late for the win. Machnope had to settle for the place, with Snobbytown third.
Trained by Nicholas Devita and owned by Eric Prevost, Siesta Beach returned $15 to win. It was the third win on the season for Siesta Beach, who entered the fourth round of the series with three straight third-place finishes.
Preliminary round action in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series concludes next Friday (April 9), with the final slated for Monday, April 19.
The fourth round of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series will be the feature on Monday (April 5) at Yonkers Raceway, with three $40,000 divisions highlighting the 10-race program. Leonidas A is a heavy favourite to win his third straight leg in one of the splits.
Yonkers races Monday through Friday nights with first post time at 7:15 p.m.
(Yonkers)