Apple Bottom Jeans seeks to return to winning ways in Friday’s Blue Chip Matchmaker

Kimberly French

Columbus, OH — When most horses exchange hands due to new ownership there is a period of adjustment which often includes travel and usually the new trainer also does not know what to expect. That was certainly not the case when Apple Bottom Jeans, who will make her fourth appearance in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at Yonkers Raceway on Friday (April 12), arrived in Dylan Davis’ barn.

“Kevin’s (Switzer, breeder and former owner/trainer) barn is right next to mine,” Davis said. “We are very good friends and I have seen her every day since she was a 2-year-old. I’ve jogged right beside her and trained my horses in sets with her. She only had to walk five feet to my barn after we bought her.”

Apple Bottom Jeans has accrued $732,222 from a record of 68-29-15-9. Katy Gazzini photo.

The 6-year-old daughter of Mr Apples-Scylla Hanover, now owned by Howard Taylor, Ed Gold, Robert Cooper Stables and Tom Lazzarro, enters the fifth and final leg of this series poised to break the $100,000 barrier in seasonal earnings for the fifth time in her career. She is the 3-2 morning line favorite after enjoying a week’s vacation.

Apple Bottom Jeans and pilot Corey Callahan will leave from post position two in the ninth race, which is the third and final $40,000 division of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series that evening, and will face six rivals. She is seventh in points (with 200) heading into Friday’s series action, from which the top-eight horses advance to vie for the championship on April 20. Bettor Joy N is the current leader with 275 points, followed by stablemate Shartin N with 258.

A horse receives 25 points each time she races in a preliminary round. Points are also awarded based on finish, with 50 points for a win, 25 for second, 12 for third, eight for fourth, and five for fifth.

The mare’s performance in this series, as well as throughout her career, has been stellar. The three-time Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund champion arrived in New York from her home base at Dover Downs on a two-race win streak and triumphed in the first two legs of the series before Feelin Red Hot defeated her by a neck in the third leg.

“I will take the blame for that,” Callahan said. “I drove her too slow and then too fast. The other mare (Feelin Red Hot) was sitting right on our back and she’s a sprinter. That is what she did and that is how she won. I’m looking forward to driving her this week because she always comes back very well after Dylan gives her a little break.”

Bred by Switzer and his wife, Denise Mc Nitt, Apple Bottom Jeans may not be a household name and her pedigree may not scream black type, but the mare has been a model of consistency. She has accrued $732,222 from a record of 68-29-15-9 with limited stakes appearances. The stakes events she has contested, however, have demonstrated her class.

As a 3-year-old she was fourth in the $148,400 Matron Stakes behind Pure Country, Penpal and Blue Moon Stride and ahead of L A Delight. She was also second that same year to Newborn Sassy in the $109,050 Lady Maud.

As a 4-year-old, Apple Bottom Jeans competed primarily in Opens, but last year at age 5 she was tested in stakes company and proved she belonged. She was fourth behind Shartin N, Pure Country and Blue Moon Stride in the $197,400 Lady Liberty, third behind Shartin N and Caviart Ally in the $161,000 Artiscape, and second to Shartin N in the $175,000 TVG Mares Pace final.

“She is staked to everything this year,” Davis said. “She has the race at Miami Valley, the races in Canada and in Lexington. She has a very busy schedule and if she stays healthy and happy we should have a very good year.”

So what makes Apple Bottom Jeans such a strong competitor?

“She just does nothing wrong,” Davis said. “And I really mean that. You can do anything with her. She is as fast as any horse I’ve ever had off the gate and she can go to the front. She is perfectly gaited and does not run in or run out. She also does not waste any energy like some horses do. Besides all that she is a sweetheart in the barn. She is a pleasure to be around and literally never does a thing. She doesn’t even ruffle her hair and it is always perfectly in place.”

Callahan, who has steered Apple Bottom Jeans frequently over the course of her career, also played a key role in her purchase last winter.

“We were looking for a quality older pacing mare,” Robert Cooper said. “They are not easy to find because many of them become broodmares and then we heard ‘Apple’ could be for sale. She doesn’t have the flashiest pedigree, being by Mr Apples, but you can’t help but be impressed with her races.

“One of the main reasons we decided to buy her was Corey’s recommendation. He’s always enjoyed driving her and felt she would be a great investment for us. Plus, Dylan was so familiar with her and really likes her. We are realistic and know Shartin N is the horse to beat but are looking forward to having a nice season with her in stakes races. We think she will be very competitive.”

Davis concurs with Cooper’s assessment on Shartin N’s stature within the older mare pacing ranks.

“We all know where Shartin stands,” he said. “We have no illusions about beating her, but I think my horse can be right there and fits in. With the right trip and circumstances, you never know what can happen.”

For the full Yonkers Friday evening card click here. For the Matchmaker Series standings, click here.

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