Yonkers, NY — Defending Blue Chip Matchmaker Series champion Drama Act regained winning form after finding a division without Amazing Dream N to beat in one of three $40,000 splits of the fourth leg on Friday night (April 7) at MGM Yonkers Raceway. With George Brennan in the bike, Drama Act scored her fifth victory in eight 2023 starts with a 1:53 mile.

Drama Act scored her fifth victory in eight 2023 starts with a 1:53 mile. Mike Lizzi photo.

With the pole position Brennan didn’t get assertive early and instead allowed Man Dontforget Me to cross over into the first turn. Delitfulcatherin N and Wahs Fire Bug N both had thoughts of getting the front at the outset, with the Jordan Stratton-driven Delitfulcatherin N going forward on the opening bend and Wahs Fire Bug N retreating after a brief leaving move. Delitfulcatherin N cleared the lead before the quarter, but within an instant Brennan moved Drama Act with purpose and took control shortly past the :26.4 opening quarter.

Sent off as the prohibitive 1-20 favorite, Drama Act was able to back the half to :56.4 before Gia’s Surreal, with Dexter Dunn, began a methodical first-over assault. Off a reasonable 1:25.1 three-quarters the outer tier disappeared into the final turn and only Delitfulcatherin N had a chance to run down the favorite.

Under left handed urging by Stratton, the 7-year-old looked to gain momentum to pass Drama Act, but Brennan’s mare had something in reserve and prevailed with a :27.4 final quarter. Delitfulcatherin N settled for second, with early leader Man Dontforget Me third.

Now with two wins and a second in four series starts, Drama Act assured herself a position in the April 24 final with the victory for trainer Ron Burke and owner The OK Corral. Drama Act paid $2.10 to win and was atop a $6.10 exacta and a $24.20 trifecta. This was Drama Act’s 34th career win, and she has now earned $892,172.

Dougs Babe A became the first mare to upend Amazing Dream N in a thrilling finish, getting her head in front in a 1:53.2 clocking for driver Dexter Dunn. The 6-year-old daughter of Western Terror won for the second straight week in the series for trainer Nifty Norman.

Majorca N and Dougs Babe A both left with purpose outside the rail-sitting favorite Amazing Dream N and driver Yannick Gingras. Corey Callahan had Majorca N claim the front from the favorite on the opening bend and then was under immediate attack from Dunn and Dougs Babe A. Gingras had Amazing Dream N out before the quarter and attacked Dougs Babe A to claim the top past the :27.2 opening quarter.

Gingras was able to get a healthy breather, hitting the half in :57.3 before Incaseyoudidnknow and Andrew McCarthy started their first-over grind. A 1:25.3 three-quarters kept Amazing Dream N in complete control, and the Linda Toscano-trained mare started her sprint on the final turn, leaving the outer flank out of contention.

In the homestretch Dougs Babe A kicked out of the pocket and charged sharply to get up on the wire. Amazing Dream N fought bravely but lost a close photo, with Incaseyoudidnknow holding resolutely for third.

Owned by Tom Vassiliou, Nicholas Tallarico, Patricia Stable and Enzed Racing Stable, Dougs Babe A likely assured herself a spot in the final with the win and returned $8.20. Dougs Babe A made her 13th appearance in the winner’s circle, has now pocketed $193,027, and keyed a $14.20 exacta and a $28.40 trifecta.

Lit De Rose and driver-trainer Patrick Lachance rallied boldly to get up in the final stride in the first of the three divisions. The 8-year-old by Leader Bayama overtook Karma Seelster in the final strides in a 1:52.4 mile to claim her first win in the series following three on-the-board finishes.

Mabalene N and driver Jason Bartlett blasted to the front over 6-5 favorite Gotthegreenlight into the first turn and cut opening-half fractions of :27.4 and :57 under little duress. Approaching the three-quarters Matt Kakaley pulled Karma Seelster from third to attack, with Lachance and Lit De Rose moving to the outside but advancing slowly off cover. Mabalene N hit three-quarters in 1:24.3 but was under intense pressure on the final turn, with Karma Seelster wresting command into the homestretch.

Lachance set Lit De Rose in motion, and the veteran mare kicked home for the victory. Karma Seelster held for second with Mabalene N third. Favored Gotthegreenlight found room to the inside in mid-stretch but failed to respond to urging.

Owned by Guy Corbeil, Lit De Rose was a winner for the second time in 11 starts in 2023 and returned $4.80 as the second favorite in the field. The exacta was worth $23.80 and the trifecta kicked back $65.00. Lit De Rose is a 37-time winner in her life, and her bankroll stands at $638,427.

Preliminary round action in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series will wrap up next Friday (April 14) before a $125,000 added final that should go for at least $250,000 on April 24. The final of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series and companion consolation races for both events will also occur that night.

Stakes action will resume on Monday night (April 10) at MGM Yonkers Raceway with three $50,000 splits of the third leg of the MGM Borgata Series for free-for-all pacers. Trotters will also be in action next week as the John Brennan Series continues with five $25,000 sections of the second round on Wednesday (April 12).

To complement the MGM Borgata Pacing Series, the Empire Terrace dining room will be open from 6-10 p.m. on Mondays through April 24. Owners and fans are invited to attend the races and enjoy food from an ala carte menu. No reservations are required.

Also, continuing through April, the Pick-5 pool on Thursdays at MGM Yonkers Raceway will be seeded with $10,000 and also have a guaranteed pool of $25,000. This initiative is being offered in partnership with the Standardbred Owners Association of New York as part of the United States Trotting Association’s Strategic Wagering Program.

MGM Yonkers Raceway is currently operating on a Monday through Friday live racing schedule with post time at 7 p.m. (EDT).