by Frank Drucker, Publicity Director, Empire City at Yonkers Raceway

Yonkers, NY — Mach It A Par (Jason Bartlett, $7.60), after paying her way through the just-concluded Blue Chip Matchmaker, rallied from off the pace Friday night (April 27) winning Yonkers Raceway’s $30,000 Filly and Mare Preferred Handicap Pace.

Mike Lizzi photo

Caviart Cherie enjoys the company of Cherie Czerniowski, Empire City’s Assistant Director of VGM Operations.

At the outset, it was Caviart Cherie easily clearing her seven inside rivals. Last week’s winner then gave it up to Ellie’sjet N (Jordan Stratton) before a ‘good’ :26.4 opening quarter-mile.

Mach It A Par, meanwhile, left for a seat from post position No. 7. She found one fifth, winding up second-over behind tepid 5-2 choice Lovineveryminute (Brian Sears). Both were out moving prior to a :55.3 intermission, though the first-up number wasn’t making many inroads. That forced Mach It A Par wide right at the 1:23.4 three-quarters.

Ellie’sjetN owned a 1-1/2 length lead in and out of the final turn, but her pursuer was about to pay her a visit. Mach It A Par wore down the leader, edging past by three-quarters of la ength in a season’s-best 1:52.4.

Gina Grace N (Larry Stalbaum), Lovineveryminute and Caviart Cherie settled for the minors.

For second choice Mach It A Par, an 8-year-old daughter of Mach Three co-owned by D’Elegance Stable IX, Carmen Iannacone, T L P & Gandolfo Stables and trained by Richard Banca, it was her third win in a dozen seasonal starts. The exacta paid $27.60, with the triple returning $108.50.

The winner is now over $800,000 in career earnings after her 40th victory

Earlier in the evening, there was a ‘Cherie’ union meeting in the paddock, where Caviart Cherie was introduced to Cherie Czerniowski, Empire City’s Assistant Director of VGM Operations.

The two ladies seemed to get along, with photographic evidence to prove it.