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

Yonkers, NY — Yonkers Raceway’s Blue Chip Matchmaker Series offered up Round Five Friday night (April 14), with a pair of $40,000 divisions. The opening event saw 2-5 favorite Bedroomconfessions (Scott Zeron) get looped leaving, then walk home. That scenario was good news for a second-up Mach It A Par (Jason Bartlett, $7.80), who was carried into the race and into the winner’s circle.

Mike Lizzi photo

Mach It A Par strides home to victory in Friday evening’s Blue Chip Matchmaker action at Yonkers Raceway.

After Diva’s Image (Joe Bongiorno) made the first lead, Bedroomconfessions took over before a :27.4 opening quarter-mile. It was a :57 intermission before Hidden Land (Tim Tetrick) took out of third. That one disposed of a weak-kneed leader passing a 1:25.4 three-quarters, with Mach It A Par—from post position five—right behind. Hidden Land owned a length lead into the land, but the pursuer blew right by. Mach It A Par widened to win by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:53.2.

Diva’s Image was third after yet another unlucky trip, with Al Raza N (Matt Kakaley) and Sell A Bit N (Jordan Stratton) rounding out the payees. Bedroomconfessions, back after taking last week off, finished last among the half-dozen, beaten more than a dozen lengths.

For second choice Mach It A Par, a 7-year-old daughter of Mach Three trained by Richard Banca for co-owners D’Elegance Stable IX, Carmen Iannacone, T L P & Gandolfo Stables, it was her third win in eight seasonal starts. The exacta paid $27.60, with the triple returning $88.50.

Friday’s second Matchmaker soiree had Krispy Apple (Tetrick) tire badly on the lead for the second consecutive start (:28.1, :56.3, 1:24.2), but not before carrying pole-sitting, 17-10 favorite Regil Elektra (Bartlett, $5.50) into the lane, and into a photographer meet-and-greet.

Regil Elektra whipped a solid, first-over Lispatty (Brian Sears) by a head in 1:53.1, with Shesjustadelight N (Ron Cushing) third, a cone-skimming Medusda (Kakaley) fourth. The first four finishers were separated by a neck with Krispy Apple fading to fifth. Mackenzie A (Stratton) was in the back, threw in steps and never factored.

For Regil Elektra, a 7-year-old Mach Three mare owned by Fred Monteleone Stable and trained by Keith Armer, it was her fifth win in nine 2017 tries. The exacta paid $23.80, with the triple returning $90.50.

The final standings for next Saturday’s (April 22) final and consolation will be determined by the race office, with the draw set for Monday afternoon (April 17).

The purse for the final of the Blue Chip Matchmaker has been calculated at $310,600, which includes the sum of added money, nominating and starting fees.

The fifth round of the George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series goes Saturday night (April 15), with three $50,000 divisions.