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

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway on Friday night (March 28) hosted the second round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker, its premier series for Open mare pacers. Four $40,000 divisions went postward.

The first event saw pole-sitting Ideal In Vegas (Jordan Stratton, $11.80) retake from Let’s Go Higher (Jason Bartlett) before a :28 second opening quarter-mile, then paced away from the premises (:57, 1:25, season’s-best 1:53.1).

“She’s been compromised by bad posts the last couple of starts, so once she drew inside, I was going to take advantage of it,” said Stratton. “I always thought she was a stakes-quality mare.”

Asked why he seems to get along with Ideal In Vegas better than other drivers, Stratton succinctly summarized that “I’m good with the ladies.”

For Ideal In Vegas, a 5-year-old daughter of Western Ideal owned by Shore Thing Stables and trained by Anthony Mannino, it was her third win in nine seasonal starts. The exacta paid $22.20, with the triple returning $70.

Mike Lizzi photo

Somwherovrarainbow was a 1:53 winner for driver Brian Sears.

Odds-on Somwherovrarainbow (Brian Sears, $3.10) doubled her pleasure in the second division, winning a second consecutive series start.

Leaving from post No. 2, Somwherovrarainbow was an early third as Feeling You (Tyler Buter) worked around Yagonnakissmeornot (Daniel Dube) after a :27.2 opening interval. Once Yagonnakissmeornot reclaimed, Somwherovrarainbow was also moving, making the lead before a :56 intermission.

From there, a no-sweat 1:24.4 three-quarters and 1:53 mile gave her a one length victory over Yagonnakissmeornot. Summertime Lea (George Brennan) tried it first-up and held third.

Somwherovrarainbow, a 4-year-old daughter of Somebeachsomewhere trained by Joe Holloway for co-owners Diamond Creek Racing and Ted Gewertz, is now three-for-three this season. The exacta (two wagering favorites) paid $3.90, with the triple returning $10.60.

“I didn’t want to have to be first-up with her again (as was the case last week),” Sears said. “She’s just very talented and you can race her any way you have to.”

The ensuing rain did not deter third division victress Angel’s Delight (Brennan, $17.80) from her appointed rounds — a second consecutive series win and third win in succession.

Away fourth from post No. 6, she watched as 3-10 choice Charisma Hanover (Yannick Gingras) had things seemingly under control (:28, :56.1, 1:25). However, the wheels came off the bandwagon in mid-stretch, as the people’s preference was passed on both fronts. Pocket-sitting Anndrovette (Tetrick) beat her to the inside, but a first-up Angel’s Delight beat them both to the outside.

Angel’s Delight whipped Anndrovette by a half-length in 1:53.2, with Charisma Hanover a fading third, beaten 1-1/4 lengths.

For third choice Angel’s Delight, a 4-year-old daughter of Rocknroll Hanover owned by Joseph Pennacchio and trained by Kevin Carr, it was her sixth win (with four seconds) in nine seasonal starts. The exacta paid $61.50, with the triple returning $106.50.

The final event was won by 2012 champ Rocklamation (Gingras, $2.20), who outdid her stablemate Camille (Kakaley) by a half-length in 1:53.1 with Shelliscape (Tetrick) third.

The George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series continues Saturday night, with four $50,000 divisions (races four, five, nine and 11 on the 12-race card).