by Frank Drucker, Yonkers Raceway Publicity Director

Yonkers, NY — Yagonnakissmeornot (Dan Dube, $8.30), second-best in this race a season ago, rolled from off the pace Saturday (April 23) night, winning Yonkers Raceway’s $309,800 final of the Blue Chip Matchmaker for pacing mares.

Mike Lizzi photo

Yagonnakissmeornot came from off the pace Saturday (April 23) night to win Yonkers Raceway’s $309,800 final of the Blue Chip Matchmaker for pacing mares.

Unhurried early from post position four, Yagonnakissmeornot watched as Krispy Apple (Jason Bartlett) was launched from behind the eight-ball. She was met by Sell A Bit N (Jordan Stratton), with the latter as the slight 5-2 favorite retaking before a :27.1 opening quarter-mile.

Sell A Bit N continued to lead at :55.3 half as Lady Shadow (Corey Callahan) took out of third. That one moved toward the leader while Yagonnakissmeornot had some ground to make up from second-over to play catch-up.

A :27.4 third quarter (1:23.2) did enough to make leader and challenger a bit susceptible, though Sell A Bit N had a length and a half in and out of the final turn. As that was happening, Yagonnakissmeornot was getting the memo and roaring through the lane.

She picked off the pace-setter, whipping Sell A Bit N by a pair of going-away lengths in a life best 1:51.4. Sell A Bit N held second, with a third-over Al Raza N (Dave Miller) third. Regil Elektra (Tim Tetrick) and last season’s winner, Venus Delight (Yannick Gingras) settled for the remainder, with Krispy Apple, Lady Shadow and Mach it A Par brought up the rear.

For Yagonnakissmeornot , a third choice 7-year-old daughter of The Panderosa co-owned (as Allard Racing) by (trainer) Rene Allard. Yves Sarazin and Kapildeo Singh, it was her fourth win in seven seasonal starts.

“I thought about leaving the gate, but when I saw the outside horse (Krispy Apple) leave hard, I decided against it,” Dube said. “She’s just a tough mare.”

Dube also won this race in 2011 with Tomorrowpan.

“She’s a favorite around the barn, goes about her work and stays at it,” Allard said.

A $75,000 series consolation was won by Carolsideal (Dube, $4) in 1:52.1 as a stablemate to the series winner.