Yonkers: Shartin N now three-for-three in Blue Chip Matchmaker Series

Imports are en vogue in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series, and none of them has been more impressive thus far than Shartin N, a 5-year-old recent arrival that overpowered her rivals for a third consecutive win at Yonkers on Friday night in one of four $40,000 divisions. With Tim Tetrick in the bike, the 2-5 choice blew away second-choice Lady Shadow off the third turn and went on to a dominant 1:53 3/5 victory.

Lady Shadow (Jason Bartlett) may be approaching the $2 million mark in career earnings, but despite getting relatively easy control, regaining in a 28 second flat opening quarter and strolling to the half in 57 4/5, she was virtually powerless when put under attack by Shartin N. Tetrick had his mare clear of rivals at the three-quarters in 1:25 1/5, and Shartin N cruised home effortlessly with a 28 2/5 final quarter, easily holding Safe From Terror and Eclipse Me N at bay. Those two had followed the winner on the backstretch. Lady Shadow finished fourth.

Jim King Jr. trains Shartin N, now a winner in seven of eight starts this year.

Lakeisha Hall got into the win column for trainer Ron Burke in the first Blue Chip Matchmaker division on the program. The 5-year-old left hard, and then yielded to odds-on favorite L A Delight's quarter move. L A Delight led with fractions of 27, 56 4/5, and 1:25 4/5 with Yannick Gingras in the bike. With little outer tier flow Lakeisha Hall had ample room in the stretch to rally out of the pocket and easily went by the favorite at odds of 6-1 for driver George Brennan. L A Delight settled for second, with Medusa third in the 1:54 2/5 mile.

In the third split Twinkle and driver Eric Goodell, sent off as the second choice at 7-5, made a regaining move on the second turn, then controlled the pace through fractions of 27 3/5, 57 3/5, and 1:25 2/5 with Shesjustadelight N pushing the third quarter. A 5-year-old by Bettor's Delight, Twinkle cruised to victory in 1:54 1/5 under light encouragement as Shesjustadelight N kept chugging for second and longshot Miss Irish Rose A made a stout move late for third. Leg winner Sell A Bit N was looped by the winner leaving and eventually took the lead but faltered from the pocket late as the 6-5 favorite.

Ross Croghan trains Twinkle, now a two-time winner in the series and a career winner 13 times in but 15 starts.

Defending Blue Chip Matchmaker champion Mackenzie A once again used the overland route and powered home effectively to capture the final $40,000 division. Jordan Stratton guided the 6-year-old by Rock N Roll Heaven off the pylons late on the second turn, and after briefly waiting for cover to materialize, Stratton and Mackenzie A went it alone in pursuit of pacemaker Newborn Sassy with Tim Tetrick. Newborn Sassy cut fractions of 27 4/5, 57 4/5, and 1:26 while under intense pressure. Mackenzie A, the 1-2 favorite, overpowered Newborn Sassy in the stretch for a 1:54 1/5 conquest, with pocket-sitter Call Me Queen Be unable to find room but pacing evenly in third.

Pete Tritton trains Mackenzie A, now with two wins in three starts in 2018.