by Frank Drucker, publicity director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway on Friday night (March 27) hosted the second round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker. A baker’s-dozen worth of Free-For-All pacing mares went it at in two $40,000 divisions.

The opening Matchmaker event was an early series two-fer for pole-sitting, odds-on Carolsideal (Dan Dube, $2.80).

Carolsideal won the first division in a time of 1:53.

Outdrawing her rivals for the second consecutive start, Carolsideal gave it up to a parked-early Sayitall BB (George Brennan) past a :27.4 opening quarter-mile.

The people’s choice then retook in turn two, finding a :57 intermission before Monkey On My Wheel (Brian Sears) took her shot from fourth. Carolsideal held that one at bay in and out of a 1:25.1 three-quarters, as Sayitall BB dropped anchor.

Carolsideal owned a measured half-length lead into the lane, then widened to close the sale, winning by a couple of lengths in a season’s-best 1:53. Monkey On My Wheel held second, with Anndrovette (Tim Tetrick) a rallying third for the second week in a row.

For Carolsideal, a 6-year-old daughter of Western Ideal trained by Rene Allard for co-owners Allard Racing, Yves Sarazin and Kapildeo Singh, it was her seventh win in eight seasonal starts. The exacta paid $8.10, with the triple (three wagering favorites in order) returning $18.20.

Mike Lizzi photos

George Brennan piloted Camille to a 1:53.1 score in the second division.

The second sojourn was won by a first-up Camille (George Brennan, $5.60), snapping pace-setting, 11-10 favorite Yagonnakissmeornot (Dube) on the money in 1:53.1, also a season’s-best effort.

Winning the draw, Camille saw longshot Coffee Addict (Jordan Stratton) grab the first lead before Yagonnakissmeornot worked around that one. The advantage belonged to Yagonnakissmeornot through early intervals of :27.4 and :57.1.

Camille slipped out from third, just in front of For The Ladies N (Sears). It was Camille prompting a :27.3 third quarter (1:24.4), with Yagonnakissmeornot taking a 1-1/2 length lead into the lane.

However, Camille wasn’t ready to throw in the camisole. She engaged the leader in earnest in the late going before sticking her tongue out just in time. The final margin was a head, with For The Ladies N holding third.

Second choice Camille, a 7-year-old millionaires daughter of Camluck co-owned as Burke Racing by trainer Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi, M1 Stable and Jack Piatt III, is now two-for-six this season. The exacta paid $12.40, with the triple returning $59.

The Raceway’s live season continues Saturday night (post time 7:10 p.m.) with the second round (four $50,000 divisions) of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series. After that, it’s Monday (7:10 p.m., $54,800 final of the Petticoat), Tuesday (1 p.m., $62,200 final of the Sagamore Hill), then Thursday through Saturday (all at 7:10 p.m.). Note Sunday matinees are done until November. Evening simulcasting accompanies all night programs, with afternoon simulcasting available daily.