by Paul Ramlow, publicity director, the Grand Circuit

This Week: Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy series second legs, Yonkers Raceway, Yonkers, N.Y.

Schedule of events: The Grand Circuit at Yonkers this week features three $40,000 divisions on Friday (March 25) in the second round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker series for open pacing mares. The Saturday (March 26) card at Yonkers will see five $50,000 divisions in the second round of the George Morton Levy series for open pacers. Complete entries for the races can be found by clicking on this link.

Last time: Yonkers Raceway’s Saturday night (March 19) card featured six $50,000 divisions in the opening round of the George Morton Levy Series.

Mike Lizzi photo

Matt Kakaley drove Texas Terror N to a 1:51 score in the fastest Levy division.

The evening’s fastest (1:51) grouping produced the evening’s least probable result, as Texas Terror N (Matt Kakaley, $100) drew off in the line. Sitting off hot (:26.1; 54.2; 1:22.2) fractions, Texas Terror N — from post position No. 4 — was able to slip out and roll by in a life-best effort. He defeated a passing-lane-inheriting Evenin Of Pleasure (Dan Dube) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Sunfire Blue Chip (Mark MacDonald) a solid third. Santa Fe Beachboy (Jason Bartlett), as the 3-4 choice, was used up in the early fray and faded to fifth.

For Texas Terror N, an 8-year-old Down Under Western Terror gelding owned by Blindswitch Racing and trained by Jose Godinez, it was his second win in nine seasonal starts.

Yonkers Raceway’s Blue Chip Matchmaker began Friday night (March 18), with the sport’s best pacing mares embarking upon a six-week odyssey. Three consecutive $40,000 events comprised the opening round.

The series starter saw Al Raza N (Jordan Stratton, $15.20) snap 9-10 favorite Krispy Apple (Jason Bartlett) right nearing the wire in a season’s-best 1:52.3. Hazmatt (Brian Sears) was third, with Delightful Dragon (Brent Holland) and Skippin’ By (Yannick Gingras) settling for the remainder.

For fifth choice Al Raza N, a 6-year-old Down Under daughter of Gotta Go Cullect owned by Durazzano Stable and trained by Agostino Abbatiello, it was her second win in three seasonal starts.

Complete recaps of all the races are available at the Grand Circuit website.

Grand Circuit Standings: In 2016, the Grand Circuit leaders in three categories (driver, trainer and owner) will once again be tracked on a points system (20-10-5 for the top three finishers in divisions/finals and 10-5-2 for the top three finishers in eliminations/legs). Winbak Farm is the sponsor for the 2015 Grand Circuit awards.

Here are the leaders following the opening weekend at Yonkers:

Drivers: 1. George Brennan – 37; 2. Jordan Stratton – 25; 3. Jason Bartlett – 24; 4. Matt Kakaley – 22; 5. Tim Tetrick – 15.

Trainers: 1. Jeff Bamond Jr. – 32; 2. Ron Burke – 17; 3t. Peter Tritton – 15; 3t. Andrew Harris – 15; 5t. Agostino Abbatiello – 10; 5t. Jose Godinez – 10; 5t. Josh Green – 10; 5t. Richard Banca – 10.

Owners: 1. Bamond Racing – 18.5; 2. Harry Von Knoblauch – 15; 3t. Jeff Bamond Jr. – 10; 3t. Blindswitch Racing Stable – 10; 3t. Durazzano Stable – 10; 3t. West Wins Stable – 10.

Looking ahead: Grand Circuit action will continue with legs of the Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy over the next three weekends. The finals and consolations for both events will be held on April 23.