Yonkers: Round one of the Blue Chip Matchmaker complete

Somwherovrarainbow went a monster mile in her four-year-old stakes debut, capturing one of four divisions of the opening round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker series at Yonkers on Friday night. The blue-blooded daughter of Somebeachsomewhere and Rainbow Blue, took air the final half-mile but determinedly wore down the pacesetting Royal Cee Cee N in early stretch. The Joe Holloway-trained filly dug in courageously for driver Brian Sears and bravely held off a determined Krispy Apple, with Charisma Hanover using the passing lane but losing the photo, finishing third.

“She’s older, bigger and stronger,” said Holloway, following the 1:52 4/5 mile.

Sent off as the 4-5 favorite, Somwherovrarainbow won for the second straight time in 2014.

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Yagonnakissmeornot made a quarter-move to the lead and then put in a huge mile for trainer Rene Allard and driver Dan Dube. The five-year-old blew away her Matchmaker field in 1:52 4/5, winning by open lengths over Lets Go Higher and Economy Terror. Sent off as the 1-5 public choice, Yagonnakissmeornot won for the fourth time in her last five starts.

Angels Delight and driver George Brennan kicked off the Blue Chip Matchmaker action with a 7-1 upset. The improving four-year-old by Rocknroll Hanover, the most seasoned of the contenders, rallied off a second-over trip to score in 1:53 2/5. After a winter in Florida, Angels Delight won for the second straight time at Yonkers, the first against this level competition.

“Others in the field were making their first start,” Brennan said, referring to last year’s Breeders Crown 1-2 finishers—Shelliscape and Rocklamation—that finished third and second respectively on Friday.

“They’re ready to roll,” Brennan said, in reference to the top mares, “But this filly will be there too.”

Brennan took the shortest route to victory with Summertime Lea in the second $40,000 Matchmaker division. The Ron Burke-trained mare cut even fractions on her way to a 1:53 4/5 victory as a 6-5 favorite while teamed with entrymate Swinging Beauty.

“She didn’t surprise me,” said Brennan, “I’d seen her race at two and three.”

Ramalama finished solidly off a second-over trip for the place spot, with Cocoa Beach finishing third ahead of the $2.5 million winner Anndrovette, who raced on the rail throughout in her 2014 debut.