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

Yonkers, NY — With series starlets Shartin N, Twinkle and defending champ Mackenzie A getting the week off, Yonkers Raceway Friday night (April 6) presented the fourth round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker.

Three, $40,000 events again brought together many of the best pacing mares, all of whom were thrilled the three queens abdicated this time around. Thus, some previous understudies stepped to the fore.

Scandalicious collected her first win of the season in the fourth round of the Matchmaker action.

First Division—A compact quintet, after a defection, saw a last-to-first late lunge by Scandalicious (Tim Tetrick, $16.80) in 1:53.4.

From post position four (in one notch), Scandalicious was content to watch Eclipse Me N (Dan Dube) throw it down (:26.4, :56). Miss Irish Rose A (Larry Stalbaum) left into the pocket, while 9-10 favorite Lady Shadow (Jason Bartlett) was away fourth.

That one was out toward the 1:24.3 three-quarters, needing some first-up reminders. Eclipse Me N maintained a length-and-a-half lead into the lane, but her rivals were about to conduct an intervention.

Scandalicious, who didn’t leave the cones until past the three-quarters, paced over her four foes, snapping Miss Irish Rose A by a nose. Lady Shadow, though never a threat to win, did continue to grab third, beaten 1-1/4 lengths. Eclipse Me N faded to fourth.

For third choice Scandalicious, a 7-year-old daughter of American Ideal owned by JFE Enterprises and trained by Scott DiDomenico, it was her first win in 11 seasonal starts (1-for-4 in series). The exacta paid $87.50, with triple wagering cancelled due to the short field.

Second Division—Medusa (Yannick Gingras, $12.40) was hard-used to make the lead, then just lasted (:27, :56.4, 1:25.2, 1:54) over a surging Clear Idea (Mark MacDonald).

From post five, Medusa found herself shut out of an early seat by polester Dewar N Soda (Tetrick). She then drove past 11-10 fave Call Me Queen Be (Scott Zeron), stealing a self-serving soft second quarter.

Call Me Queen Be pulled pocket before the three-quarters, but was repelled.

Medusa had a 1-1/2 length advantage in and out of the final turn, and she’d need it. Clear Idea closed quickly from second-over, missing by a head. Call Me Queen Be did save the bottom of the ticket.

Darragh Riordan photos

Medusa outlasted her competition for a Matchmaker triumph on Friday evening.

For third choice Medusa, a 7-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight co-owned by Keystoners Randy Bendis & Tom Pollack and trained by Ed Hart, it was her first win in six 2018 tries (1-for-4 in series). The exacta paid $53, with the triple returning $132.50.

Third Division – Lakeisha Hall (George Brennan, $5.60) doubled her series pleasure, going the distance (:27.2, :57, 1:25.3, 1:54.1).

From post two, Lakeisha Hall went up and over pole-sitting Motu Moonbeam N (Brent Holland). Safe From Terror (Jordan Stratton), as the 8-5 choice, tried to leave, but was forced to slip in fourth.

Safe fFom Terror moved again down the backside, only pacing in place before tiring. Meanwhile, Lakeisha Hall opened to a 1-1/2 length lead entering the lane. Motu Moonbeam N edged from the pocket, from never came close to reaching. The margin was a length in a tick faster than the winner’s effort a week ago, with Dude’salady (Tetrick) third.

For second choice Lakeisha Hall, a 5-year-old daughter of Three Straight co-owned as Burke Racing by trainer Ron Burke, Weaver Bruscemi and Jack Piatt II, she’s 2-for-4 this season (and series). The exacta paid $10.80, with the triple returning $65.

Saturday night (April 7) offers a trio of $50,000 divisions of Free-for-Allers in the fourth round of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series.