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

Yonkers, NY — Five $40,000 divisions have been drawn for Friday night’s (March 23) opening round of Yonkers Raceway’s Blue Chip Matchmaker.

A total of 37 (from a pool of 43) of the finest pacing mares in training are scheduled to compete in races 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8.

A quick perusal of the overnight sheet finds Krispy Apple (Tim Tetrick, post seven) and local standout Breakheart Pass (Jason Bartlett, post six) leading the first division, while the second division includes returning standouts in New Album (Tetrick, post one) and Western Silk (George Brennan, post four).

Friday night’s third Matchmaker event is loaded, with Overbid winner — and last season’s Older Female Pacer divisional winner — Anndrovette (Tetrick, post three), 2009 Matchmaker winner Pancleefandarpels (Jim Pantaleano, post five), 2011 Lismore winner JK Owhatanite (Brian Sears, post six) and 2011 Lady Maud winner Rocklamation (Sears also listed, post seven).

The evening’s fourth series event features talented lasses Shacked Up (Eric Goodell, post four), Myluvmylife (Bartlett, post six) and this season’s Cape and Cutter winner Symphony In Motion (Brennan, post seven).

The final foray finds form and fashion in the presence of See You At Peelers (Sears, post three), making her “mature” debut off a trio of Meadowlands qualifiers, and 2010 Matchmaker winner Ginger And Fred (Bartlett, post five). See You At Peelers is a perfect five-for-five here during her career, including beating the boys in last season’s Art Rooney Pace.

Saturday night’s opening round of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series will be drawn Tuesday afternoon.

Both series offer five preliminary rounds, with the finals (and their respective consolations) scheduled for Saturday night, April 28.

A complete list of nominees can be found at www.yonkersraceway.com, then go to “racing” icon.