Yonkers: Alexa Skye is the Matchmaker Queen until proven otherwise

There is a sense among horsemen that racing 4-year-olds against older foes has its limitations, especially early in the season. Heading into Friday's third leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at Yonkers Raceway, there is only one 4-year-old among the 14 mares entered in one of two $35,000 divisions.

Alexa Skye has been awesome over the winter and makes her first start of the spring season in Friday's seventh race, which is the second of two divisions. The daughter of Somebeachsomewhere has been so impressive during the cold weather months that she was sold and has more than continued her winning form for trainer and co-owner Jeff Cullipher. One constant for Alexa Skye along the way has been driver Todd McCarthy, who once again will steer the mare this week.

"She's getting more controllable," said McCarthy about the talented mare. "In the first week of the series I wanted to test her a bit."

McCarthy was referring to the scorching 1:51 2/5 mile in the opening leg of the series that remains the fastest to date. After going to the front in the March 12 contest, Alexa Skye blitzed the third quarter in 27 2/5, and in the process was able to gain separation from Seaswift Joy N, as well as the rest of the contenders. Alexa Skye finished her mile with a 28-second final quarter.

"Last week (March 19) she was able to race away from them following slow quarters," said McCarthy of the 1:53 4/5 victory in round two that saw Alexa Skye pace a second quarter in 29 2/5 while in complete control of the field.

On Friday, at least on paper, it appears as if Alexa Skye will get the toughest test of the season with leg winners Seaswift Joy N (post two) and Blue Ivy (post five) to her inside. Siesta Beach (post seven) enters the third round having finished on the board in her last five starts. The 5-year-old mare by American Ideal also has the distinction of out-sprinting Alexa Skye in the stretch when the two met in a Yonkers Open event on February 25.

It was way too early for McCarthy to commit to any driving style, but he didn't appear to be overly concerned with the draw, or Alexa Skye's ability to cope with adversity.

"She raced first-over here (Yonkers) and had no problems," said McCarthy, referring to a wicked performance where Alexa Skye raced parked from post eight and lost by just a head to My Ruebe Star N, an import that also landed in this Blue Chip Matchmaker division.

Friday night may prove whether age is a hindrance at all for Alexa Skye as she meets a field of six rivals that are truly battle-tested. Seeswift Joy N was an easy 1:53 4/5 winner in leg two action for driver Andrew McCarthy. After an abbreviated campaign in 2020, Seaswift Joy N has won three of eight starts this year.

Blue Ivy's solid half-mile track credentials have been on display in both legs of the series thus far. Driver Tyler Buter has raced the 5-year-old daughter of Captaintreacherous from off-the-pace and has finished first (1:53 3/5) and second, closing strongly in the stretch on both occasions.

My Ruebe Star N (post three) conceded the front to Alexa Skye and finished second behind her in one of last week's three divisions.

Trainer Jim King Jr.'s Shartin N was dominant in this series during her stellar North American racing career. Now retired and a future broodmare, King turns to Soho Burning Love A (post four) with hopes of reaching the final. Soho Burning Love A was a good second behind Blue Ivy in round one but failed to fire in last week's leg. Tim Tetrick will guide her on Friday.

With multiple leg winner Machnhope taking the week off, Alexa Skye may be able to secure a spot in the final with a win on Friday night. Does McCarthy think he's sitting behind the eventual final winner?

"I like my mare," said McCarthy. "Let's just say I wouldn't trade her for any others in the series."

One race before Alexa Skye competes in the seventh of 10 races on Friday, another septet will take to the track seeking their first win in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series. Snobbytown (post two, George Brennan) is 9-5 on the morning-line after a falling a neck short of the aforementioned Machnhope in round two last week.

Main contenders in the first division also include Caviart Cherie (post one, Matt Kakaley), second and third in two Matchmaker starts, and Keep Rockin A, a solid third behind Alexa Skye in her first start of 2021 last week for the team of Tetrick and King Jr. They start from post six.

Post time for the Friday card is 7:15 p.m.