Yonkers: Bartlett eyes Matchmaker, Levy finals in round four action

The Levy and Blue Chip Matchmaker series head into round four this weekend and Yonkers Raceway’s leading driver Jason Bartlett has some impressive mounts pointing towards placement in both lucrative finals.

Bartlett’s action will get underway in race seven on Friday night behind Don’t Think Twice A (post 1) in the first of three Blue Chip Matchmaker divisions, each going for a purse of $40,000.

“She’s just a really nice mare,” Bartlett said of the 6-year-old daughter of Armbro Operative, trained by Andrew Harris. “I would definitely put her among the top three in this series.”

That praise doesn’t come without accomplishment and thus far in the initial three legs of the Matchmaker Don’t Think Twice A has a victory and two second-place finishes to her credit.

Bartlett was playing Monday morning quarterback himself in judging the defeat last week when Seaswift Joy N outsprinted his mare in the late stages for the mild upset. “I put away that mare that was first-up probably a little bit too early,” Bartlett said. “My mare is a very smart mare and she takes it easy on herself when others aren’t around.”

The open space from the pocket was all that was necessary to give rival Seaswift Joy N the room to come out and before Bartlett was able to reengage Don’t Think Twice A, she was already passed.

What kind of trip develops this week will certainly be dependent on the competition, with two-leg winner Feelin Red Hot (post 3) the main threat in the field of seven.

Bartlett has had a big year so far with Delightfulmemphis N, a five-time winner with $94,250 banked in 2019. “She came up sick last time and obviously wasn’t herself,” said Bartlett in regard to a fifth-place finish. “She just loves a target and will pick it up every time when they turn into the stretch. It doesn’t matter if she’s first-over or second-over.”

Delightfulmemphis N could be third- or fourth-over in the second Blue Chip Matchmaker division having landed post six with solid foes inside, including Ideal Lifestyle A (post 1), and two-leg winner Bettor Joy N (post 7) to her outside. With one leg victory, Delightfulmemphis N will likely need a win this week or the following to have any chance of reaching the final.

Bartlett got put up behind Medusa in the final Matchmaker division, race nine, and will meet up with Shartin N (post 4) and Seaswift Joy N (post 8) in this event. “I’ve driven her before,” Bartlett said of Medusa.” At least we drew well.”

On Saturday night Bartlett hopes that Rodeo Romeo will continue to advance. Third in all three legs of the series, Rodeo Romeo drew post three in the second $50,000 George Morton Levy division on Saturday night carded as race seven. “He’s had some good trips but is just not getting home as well as he should. The good thing is that he’s gotten better each week,” said Bartlett.

Bettor Memories returns to the Levy after capturing an overnight event last week for trainer Nifty Norman. “He’s the perfect horse for this track,” said Bartlett of Bettor Memories. “You can do whatever you want with him, put him on the front or come from behind.” Bettor Memories drew the pole position in the third division, a race that includes two-leg winner Ideal Jimmy (post 8) and last week’s impressive upsetter Lyons Steel (post 6).

“He was a little better last week,” said Bartlett of the winning trip behind Bettor Memories. “He’ll need to continue to improve.”

Bartlett has had a great history with 2017 Levy final runner-up Somewhere In L A at Yonkers and the two will seek a second Levy leg victory on Saturday in the final of four divisions carded as race 10. “I decided not to leave with him from post eight last time to protect him,” said Bartlett, who has noticed the now 8-year-old perhaps doesn’t have the quickness he did a few years ago. “From the right spots he can still get the job done.”

Somewhere In L A drew post two directly inside Western Fame, thus far the most impressive horse in the series.

Bartlett will again go to the Meadowlands on Saturday morning for qualifiers and is excited about the return of last year’s Art Rooney winner Trump Nation. “He was scary in that qualifier last Saturday,” Bartlett said. “Andrew (Harris) has him back and they did the right thing with him last year after he was injured.” Bartlett also drove Our Max Phactor N for Harris, who Bartlett also believes is a serious horse. Unfortunately the two are in the same qualifier on Saturday.