Yonkers, NY — Caviart Ally took full advantage of her inside starting position and worked out a perfect pocket-sitting trip to surge past the pacesetting Shartin N in mid-stretch to prevail by a neck in 1:52.1 in the $100,000 Blue Chip Matchmaker Invitational on Saturday (Nov. 28) at Yonkers Raceway.

Caviart Ally surged past the pacesetting Shartin N in mid-stretch to prevail by a neck in 1:52.1 in the $100,000 Blue Chip Matchmaker Invitational. Chris Brokate photo.

Shartin N, the 2019 Horse of the Year and defending Blue Chip Matchmaker champion, left quickly from post position seven and controlled the race throughout but had to settle for second. Snobbytown finished third, 5-1/4 lengths behind.

It was Caviart Ally’s third win in 2020 and 28th lifetime for driver Andrew McCarthy and trainer Brett Pelling. The winner’s share leaves her just shy of $2 million in career earnings at $1,974,971. The 6-year-old mare is owned by Caviart Farms of Vienna, Va. As the 8-5 second choice, she paid $5.50 to win.

In the $125,000 Borgata Pacing Series Eligibles Invitational, This Is The Plan closed past the tiring leaders to win by a half-length in 1:52, paying $5.60 to win as the 9-5 second choice.

This Is The Plan closed past the tiring leaders to win by a half-length in 1:52. Chris Brokate photo.

This Is The Plan left alertly from the outside starting position to tuck in fourth and worked out a second over trip for driver George Brennan. The Ron Burke trainee notched his fourth win of 2020 for owners Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi, J&T Silva-Purnel & Libby and Larry Karr.

Ostro Hanover held second after setting the pace and Tookadiveoffdipper was 2-1/4 lengths back in third.

The Blue Chip Matchmaker and Borgata Pacing Series races were originally scheduled to begin March 13 and 14 but were canceled when the racetrack closed down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of the customary five legs and final, the races were altered to be one dash invitationals for horses that were eligible for the original races this Spring.