Yonkers: Hudson left with one shot to make $407K Blue Chip Matchmaker final

Heading into the Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy series trainer Lance Hudson was loaded with optimism. Hudson’s collection of top-flight pacers appeared to have solid footing for committing to the events and Hudson’s horses were competing at a high level at Yonkers before the opening ceremonies.

Now into the fifth and final week of eliminations for both series, Hudson is pinning his hopes on reaching the Matchmaker final with Betterb Chevron N in one of three $40,000 divisions in the final qualifying leg. “She’s a rocketship,” said Hudson of the imported mare that sits ninth in the standings to reach the $407,400 finale on April 20.

“It’s been a tough series and I’ve found out the hard way that everything has to go right for you,’ Hudson said. “It’s been tough when you draw outside, but you just have to show up and hope to get the breaks.”

Betterb Chevron N has earned money each week with a solid second in last week’s penultimate round. A victory on Friday night would guarantee her a spot in the final, but Hudson recognizes the caliber of horses she’s up against and isn’t taking anything for granted. “The Matchmaker has a solid group of mares,” said Hudson. “The Levy only has a couple this year. There’s just so much talent.”

With post six in race five, the first of the three Matchmaker divisions, Jordan Stratton will pilot the 6-year-old by Bettor’s Delight. Asked if she has the early speed to overcome the draw, Hudson was lukewarm in his response. “You know she was a frontrunner when she raced in Australia,” Hudson said. “But when we got her over here I didn’t want her to race that way because I thought it could ruin her.”

Bettorb Chevron N will face two-leg winner Seaswift Joy N (post 5) in this division.

Hudson’s post draw luck was no better with Write Me A Song as the 4-year-old daughter of Sportswriter landed number seven outside all her rivals in the second division, race seven on the card. “She’s been a little uncomfortable getting around this track,” Hudson said of Write Me A Song. “I think she’ll be better when we can get her on the big track.”

Hudson’s major threat at least prior to both series getting under way was Don Domingo N, a five-time winner at Yonkers this winter that has little to show for it in this series. “It’s just been very unfortunate with him that he was drawing post seven and eight every week,” said Hudson. Last week Don Domingo N drew post seven and was scratched, but the trainer believes he’ll be back in full force this week. “I really like his chances this week, especially with the draw.”

Don Domingo N landed post two in the first (race 6) of four $50,000 Levy divisions on Saturday, as horses look for spots in either the Levy final or rich consolation. Don Domingo N will not be among those in the hunt but there could be a consolation prize with a victory on Saturday since that would push his 2019 earnings above the $100K mark. On the positive note for Hudson is that of his seven rivals none have enough points to qualify for the $665,000 Levy final.

While the Levy has been a tough pill for Hudson to swallow, there could be a silver lining down the road. Micky Gee N was considered one of his best chances for the series but after some mishaps he was taken out of the Levy. “I was trying to get him ready for the series and we put him on Lasix,” Hudson said. “It didn’t work and he actually tied up so we lost an extra week.” Micky Gee N raced solidly in the first round, putting a head in front of eventual leg winner Ideal Jimmy before settling for third. His second leg was a typical no-chance outing and Hudson rescued him from the series and put him back in conditioned ranks.

“You know you want to have something left for the rest of the year,” Hudson said. Given that Micky Gee N looked his old self last Saturday, Hudson could see him in the winner’s circle again on Saturday in race three. It won’t be the Levy but the season is still young.