Yonkers, NY – The big girls and big boys come to play this weekend, with Yonkers Raceway hosting the opening round of both the Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series.

Friday night (March 15) finds five $40,000 divisions of the Matchmaker for leading pacing mares, going consecutively as races five through nine.

Shartin N begins her 6-year-old campaign Friday (March 15) in the opening round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker at Yonkers. Mike Lizzi photo.

Defending series champ Shartin N begins her 6-year-old season from post position two in the final event. Tim Tetrick takes his usual seat for co-owners himself, Richard Poillucci and Jo Ann Looney-King. Keeping it in the family, Jim King Jr. trains the lass, fresh off an 19-for-24, million-dollar season.

Saturday evening (March 16), the Levy does the Matchmaker one better, with six $50,000 groupings (races four through nine) for the Free-For-All folks.

Bit Of A Legend N begins his 10- year-old season on Saturday (March 16) in the Levy series. Mike Lizzi photo.

Double-millionaire 10-year-old Bit Of A Legend N, the 2016 Levy winner, begins this season’s marathon from behind the eight-ball in the third division. Jordan Stratton again does the honors for owner Von Knoblauch Stables and trainer Peter Tritton.

Each series offers five preliminary rounds leading to the finales, both set for Saturday, April 20.

Early Matchmaker program pages for Friday (March 15); Early Levy program pages for March 16. Friday’s program pages will be finalized on Tuesday (March 12), Saturday’s program pages will be finalized on Thursday (March 14).