Yonkers, NY — Shartin N ($4.00) became the first repeat champion in the 11-year history of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series, capturing Saturday’s (April 20) $402,600 final for pacing mares by 1-1/2 lengths over stablemate Bettor Joy N in 1:52.1 at Yonkers Raceway. Apple Bottom Jeans finished third.

Shartin N became the first repeat champion in the 11-year history of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series. Mike Lizzi photo.

Feelin Red Hot and Apple Bottom Jeans exchanged the lead in a :27.2 opening quarter-mile, after which driver Tim Tetrick put even-money favorite Shartin N in motion from fourth place. Shartin N reached the front by the half, timed in :55.2, and was unthreatened the rest of the way.

“When I knew (Apple Bottom Jeans) had to go hard to get the lead and let (Feelin Red Hot) go and retake, I thought I would take my chance and make (Apple Bottom Jeans) push the envelope,” Tetrick said. “The fractions were still fair and (Shartin N) still ended up on the lead at the wire.”

Shartin N was last year’s Dan Patch Award winner for best older female pacer. She has won four of five races this season and earned $264,500. For her career, the New Zealand-bred daughter of Tintin In America-Bagdarin has won 30 of 42 starts and banked $1.39 million.

Jim King Jr. trains Shartin N for owners Richard Poillucci, Jo Ann Looney-King, and Tim Tetrick LLC.

“She’s got big lungs and she’s a tough SOB,” Tetrick said. “Week in and week out she shows up. When she puts her head on the gate she wants to race. She’s proven that every week.”

King and Tetrick also teamed to win the $75,000 Blue Chip Matchmaker consolation with Newborn Sassy. Following the race, Tetrick said the 6-year-old mare would be retired and bred to Captaintreacherous. The daughter of Western Ideal-Sass Newton has won 33 of 92 career races and earned $1.09 million. She is owned by Looney-King and Tetrick LLC.