Yonkers: Favorites reign in third round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series

The recent import Dougs Babe A found the winner's circle for the first time in the U.S. in the third leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series on Friday night (March 31) at MGM Yonkers Raceway. Dexter Dunn guided the 6-year-old mare from off-the-pace and scored in 1:53 to capture the first of three $40,000 divisions.

Jason Bartlett and Mabalene N were airborne at the outset, leaving over second choice Majorca N into the first turn. Dunn and Dougs Babe A had thought of leaving but elected to tuck in fourth on the opening bend with no other options.

Corey Callahan guided Majorca N on a regaining move off the first turn, and the veteran mare hit the quarter in 28 2/5 and half in 57 1/5. The field remained in line until Dunn moved just before the three-quarters with the Nifty Norman-trained Dougs Babe A.

Majorca N hit three-quarters in 1:25 2/5 and held the favorite at bay through the final turn, but once in the homestretch Dougs Babe A asserted her will and sprinted home to an easy victory with a 27 3/5 final quarter. Majorca N held second with Man Dontforget Me and Matt Kakaley closing sharply for the show spot.

Owned by Tom Vassiliou, Nicholas Tallarico, Patricia Stables and Enzed Racing, Dougs Babe A is now a 12-time winner in her career and has banked $173,026. As the favorite Dougs Babe A returned $3.30 to win and led a $5.80 exacta and a $33.80 trifecta.

Amazing Dream N and driver Yannick Gingras continued their winning ways in the second $40,000 division, popping the pocket on the final turn and rolling past pace-setter Racine Bell on her way to a 1:51 4/5 victory. The Linda Toscano-trained 7-year-old mare pushed her career earnings above $1.3 million with the win.

Racine Bell and Bartlett used high speed to out-sprint Amazing Dream N on the first turn and take control off that bend. Racine Bell controlled the fractions of 27 3/5 and 56 2/5 with Amazing Dream N content to travel in second and Hot Mess Express third.

On the backstretch the final time Lit De Rose began a first-over assault, followed by Drama Act. Gingras didn't wait for trouble, moving Amazing Dream N to the outside past the 1:24 three-quarters. The Bettor's Delight-sired mare was able to wear down the leader and sprint home in 27 4/5 for the win. Racine Bell did well to hold on to the place, with Lit De Rose and Drama Act following in third and fourth.

Owned by Enviro Stables, Richard Gutnick, Tom Pontone and Joseph Lozito Jr., Amazing Dream N, who made her 29th appearance in the winner's circle, paid $3.20 as the public choice. The exacta and trifecta were worth $5.50 and $16.60, respectively.

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Incaseyoudidntknow and driver Andrew McCarthy came overland in the third $40,000 Blue Chip Matchmaker division and overpowered Gia's Surreal in the stretch on her way to a solid score in a 1:52 3/5 clocking.

McCarthy looked to leave the gate at the outset but was looped when Watch Me Now N and Jordan Stratton blasted by them from post eight into the first turn. McCarthy settled for a tuck instead, as did Watch Me Now N behind Karma Seelster. Karma Seelster had settled things on the opening bend for Matt Kakaley but was soon under attack from Gia's Surreal and Bartlett, who hustled to the front in a snappy 27 second opening quarter.

McCarthy didn't wait very long to energize the 2-1 favorite and had Incaseyoudidntknow on the offensive first-over with Morning Has Broken and Lucky Artist A trailing her in second- and third-over position. Incaseyoudidntknow turned up the pressure past the 56 1/5 half and was on even terms with Gia's Surreal through three-quarters in 1:24 2/5.

Gingras came three-deep on the final turn with Morning Has Broken, looking for the upset, but McCarthy had something in reserve and Incaseyoudidntknow, a 5-year-old daughter of Always B Miki, responded with a 28 1/5 final quarter to secure the victory. Moirning Has Broken settled for second with Karma Seelster getting room along the pylons and finishing third. Lucky Artist A settled for fourth in the mile.

Incaseyoudidntknow won for the third time in 2023 and 19th occasion overall for trainer Les Givens and owners James Magno and Joseph Forte. Now an earner of $298,551, Incaseyoudidntknow returned $6.00 as the betting favorite and was atop a $51.00 exacta and a $140.00 trifecta.

Preliminary round action in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series will continue through Friday, April 14 and will conclude with a $125,000 added final that should go for at least $250,000 on April 24. The final of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series and companion consolation races for both events will also occur that night.

Stakes action will resume on Monday night (April 3) at MGM Yonkers Raceway with four $50,000 splits of the third leg of the MGM Borgata Series for free-for-all pacers. Trotters will also be in action next week as the John Brennan Series gets underway on Wednesday (April 5).

To complement the MGM Borgata Pacing Series, the Empire Terrace dining room will be open 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Mondays through April 24. Owners and fans are invited to attend the races and enjoy food from an ala carte menu. No reservations are required.

Also, continuing into April, the Pick 5 pool on Thursdays at MGM Yonkers Raceway will be seeded with $10,000 and also have a guaranteed pool of $25,000. This initiative is being offered in partnership with the Standardbred Owners Association of New York as part of the United States Trotting Association's Strategic Wagering Program.

MGM Yonkers Raceway is currently operating on a Monday through Friday live racing schedule with post time at 7 p.m. (EDT).

--press release (Yonkers)--