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

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway’s Blue Chip Matchmaker for Open Mares entered its penultimate phase Friday night (April 12), as in the fourth of five preliminary rounds.

Sean Hamrock photo

Anndrovette won the final division in a time of 1:54.2.

Four $40,000 divisions went at it, chronologically chronicled as such.

First division: It couldn’t have been much easier for puny proposition Camille (Yannick Gingras, $2.10). Leaving from post position No. 5, she worked around her wagering friend Hot List (Matt Kakaley), then took over from pole-squatting Full Picture (George Brennan) right at a :27.1 opening quarter-mile.

After a :57.2 half, Hot List tried her luck first-up, never getting close. Camille found a 1:25.4 three-quarters, owned a 1-1/2 length lead into the lane and had no issues whatsoever. Camille won by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:54.3. Full Picture held second, with Moonlit Dragon (Brian Sears) closing for third.

Camille, a 5-year-old daughter of Camluck co-owned (as Burke Racing) by trainer Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi, M1 Stables and Jack Piatt, is now 3-for-4 this season (and in series). The exacta (two choices in order) paid a season-low $3, with no triple wagering offered (five wagering interests).

Second division: It was Ginger And Fred (Kakaley, $2.10), from post No. 3, who went past her barn buddy Ramalama (Gingras), then defeated first leader Warrawee Koine (Jason Bartlett) by 1-3/4 lengths in 1:54.3. Keeper’s Destiny (Sears) was third.

Ramalama, who ripped out of the pocket to defeat Ginger And Fred a week ago, was no match here. She played leapfrog on the lead with Warrawee Koine early (:27.3), found a :56.1 half and 1:25.3 three-quarters, but was done off the turn and wound up fifth.

Ginger And Fred, a 7-year-old daughter of Real Artist trained by Burke for co-owners Edwin Gold, Howard Taylor, Robert Feldman and J&T Silva Stables, posted her first win in four seasonal/series starts. The exacta (two choices) paid $4.10, with no triple wagering offered (five wagering interests).

Third division: Bettor B Lucky (Gingras, $10.40), from post No. 5, was left to her own early devices (;28.3, 58.1) before 7-10 Krispy Apple (Kakaley) moved from fourth. After a 1:26.2 three-quarters, Bettor B Lucky widened by 2-1/2 lengths entering the lane.

She needed all of that advantage, just holding off a pylon-skimming Eightunrdolarbill (Sears) by a desperate nose in 1:55. Krispy Apple was a drifting third, beaten a length.

Fourth choice Bettor B Lucky is a 4-year-old Bettor’s Delight miss co-owned (as Burke Racing) by trainer Burke, Weaver Bruscemi, WJ Donovan and Lawrence Karr. The exacta paid $54.50, with no triple wagering offered (five wagering interests). The winner’s entrymate, Darena Hanover (Brennan), wound up sixth.

Fourth division: Double-millionairess Anndrovette (Tim Tetrick, $2.80), from post No. 5, rolled from second-over here. She picked off pace-setting (:27.3, :57, 1:25.3) Rocklamation (Gingras) by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:54.2. A first-up Royal Cee Cee N (Brennan) held the bottom of the ticket.

Anndrovette, a 6-year-old daughter of Riverboat King trained by PJ Fraley for co-owners Bamond Racing and Joseph Davino, is now 3-for-4 in ’13 (and series). The exacta paid $5.70, with the triple (three choices in order) returning $13.

Friday night’s $38,500 Open Handicap Trot was won by a first-up Monsignor Flan (Brent Holland, $15.80) in 1:58.

Saturday’s card features the fourth round of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series, going as four $50,000 divisions.