Yonkers Raceway hosted the third round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series, its premier proving ground for Open mare pacers. Three soggy $40,000 divisions went postward Friday night.
The first event saw former New York Sire Stakes standout Summertime Lea (George Brennan, $2.40, part of odds-on entry) take it the house (:29.2, :58.4, 1:26.4, 1:55.1). Leaving from post position No. 3, she went around pole-sitting Ramalama (Matt Kakaley), then was pestered a stubborn, first-up Fashion Mystery (Eric Carlson). The former held the latter at bay, winning by three-quarters of a length. Ramalama, the winner’s wagering buddy Rocklamation (Yannick Gingras) and Regil Elektra (Ron Pierce) completed the cashers.
For 'Lea,' a four-year-old daughter of Lislea co-owned by trainer Ron Burke (as Burke Racing), Weaver Bruscemi, Frank Baldachino and Earl Smith, it was her second win in three seasonal/series starts. The exacta paid $34.20, with the triple returning $74.20.
“She obviously can leave the gate, which works to her advantage,” Brennan said. “When she won [the first week], it was her first start of the season and you never know what to expect, but she has impressed me.”
Like Summertime Lea, Yagonnakissmeornot (Dan Dube, $6) notched a second series victory. Away alertly from post No. 4, she leaped over Krispy Apple (Tim Tetrick), then laid down the law through intervals of :28.2, :58, 1:26.1 and 1:54.3. 'Yagonna' widened to a pair of lengths into the lane before winning by that same margin. Angels Delight -- she also twice a winner in the Matchmaker and making a first start for new connections -- rallied into second from a loose three-hole, with Krispy Apple, Charisma Hanover (Gingras) and Feeling You (Tyler Buter) coming away with the remainder.
For tepid wagering favourite Yagonnakissmeornot, a five-year-old daughter of The Panderosa co-owned by trainer Rene Allard (as Allard Racing), Yves Sarazin and Kapildeo Singh, she’s now five-for-nine this season (with career earnings just under $400,000). The exacta paid $20.20, with the triple returning $520.
The third division went to a solid, two-move Anndrovette (Tetrick, $7.40). Caught wide after starting outside her seven rivals, she found a four-hole as 11-10 choice Ideal In Vegas (Jordan Stratton) won the scrum for the lead (:28, :57.4). Anndrovette caught a break down the backside when pocket-sitting longshot Cheyenne Miriam (Brennan) began to tire. That allowed the double-millionairess an impromptu rest stop by the 1:26.1 three-quarters. 'Vegas' owned a length and a half lead in and out of the final turn, but Anndrovette ducked in and went by. The margin was a half-length in 1:55.3. Royal Cee Cee N (Pierce), Bettor B Lucky (Gingras) and Cheyenne Miriam grabbed the minor moolah.
“It’s taken her a couple of starts to get her winning attitude back, but I never lost faith,” Tetrick said. “I was able to get a breather with her, the other mare [Ideal In Vegas] tired a bit and mine is just so big and strong.”
For second choice Anndrovette, a seven-year-old daughter of Riverboat King trained by PJ Fraley for co-owners by Bamond Racing and Joseph Davino, the win was her first in three season/series starts. The exacta paid $30.60, the triple returned $95 and the superfecta paid $520.
Friday’s $38,000 Open Trot was won by a cone-skimming Backstreet Hanover (Carlson, $37), who beat the boys in 1:57.2.
The George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series continues Saturday night, with four, $50,000 divisions (races 4,5,9 and 11 on the 12-race card).
(Yonkers Raceway)