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

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway paid homage to Friday the (April) 13th, wrapping the preliminaries with the fifth round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker. Three, $40,000 events again brought together many of the best pacing mares in the last chance to impress the electorate.

First Division—A first-up toughie, but Dudesalady (Tim Tetrick, $27.80) prevailed in a blanket finish.

Mike Castellano photo

Sell A Bit N wins her second leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series.

Early leader Lakeisha Hall (George Brennan) gave it up to Lady Shadow (Jason Bartlett), with the latter setting early intervals of :27.3 and :56.4. From post position two, Dudesalady took out of fourth, with 11-10 favorite Mackenzie A (Jordan Stratton) towed from second-over.

Dudeslady found her best stride after a 1:24 three-quarters, though Lady Shadow owned a 1-1/4 lead in the lane. The pursuer surged late, whipping the pace-setter by a neck in a life-best 1:52.4. Lakeisha Hall found inside room but was photoed for second.

Call Me Queen Be closed well for fourth, while Mackenzie A wound up a flat fifth, the quintet of payees separated by just a half-length.

“I thought she was good last week (third), so I wasn’t surprised she dug in,” Tetrick said.

For fifth choice Dudesalady, a 4-year-old daughter of Shadow Play co-owned by First Staters M&L of Delaware & Victoria Dickinson and trained by Bruce Saunders, it was her fifth win in a dozen seasonal starts (1-for-5 in series). The exacta paid $131.50, with the triple returning $629.

Second Division—Pole-sitting Sell A Bit N (Stratton, $8.50) went the distance (:27.1, :56.3, 1:25.1, season’s-best 1:53.1). She stuffed Medusa 19-10 fave (Yannick Gingras) in behind, then dealt with a first-up Twinkle (Eric Goodell).

The latter could have been a tad better ‘front ma’am’ for Newborn Sassy, who herself was gapping a bit.

Newborn Sassy rallied wide and did get into second. Sell aABit N owned a three-quarter length lead in and out of the final turn, maintaining that margin to the wire. Medusa was third, with Twinkle fourth.

Mike Lizzi photo

L A Delight takes advantage of a double-miscue by Shartin N to capture her second victory of the series.

For third choice Sell A Bit N, an 8-year-old Down Under daughter of Julius Caesar owned by Von Knoblauch Stables and trained by Peter Tritton, it was her fifth win in 10 2018 tries (2-for-4 in series). The exacta paid $42.40, with the triple returning $155.50.

Third Division-Well, this was a surprise. Series domimnatrix Shartin N (Tetrick), who had won all three of her Matchmaker starts before getting a week off, couldn’t get out of her own way.

The 3-10 choice broke right at the start, caught the field, then jumped it off again at the half.

While this hard-to-believe was happening, pole-sitting L A Delight (Gingras) retook from Clear Idea (Mark Mark MacDonald), then held the other three in-range lasses at bay (:28.2, :57.4, 1:25.1, season’s best-matching 1:53.2).

Clear Idea was second, beaten by 1-1/4, with Shesjustadelight N (Ron Cushing) third.

Shartin N wound up last among the octet.

“Just wasn’t her night,” Tetrick said. “There have been times when she’s been fussy with her mouth, and I don’t know if that’s what happened. She jogged back to the paddock and seemed sound, so we have to see.”

For second choice L A Delght, a 5-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight owned by Diamond Creek Racing and trained by Nancy Johansson, she’s now 2-for-4 this season (2-for-3 in series). The exacta paid $59.50, with triple returning $298.

The final standings accompany this release. Be advised these are not necessarily the entrants for the Saturday, April 21 final (purse $373,000) and consolation ($75,000). Those participants shall be determined by the race office in accordance with the conditions of the series and in advance of Monday afternoon’s (April 16) draw.

Saturday night (April 14) offers a trio of $50,000 divisions of Free-for-Allers in the fifth (final) round of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series.