Yonkers: Yagonnakissmeornot posts fastest mile of Blue Chip Matchmaker series

Yagonnakissmeornot avenged her lone Blue Chip Matchmaker defeat, scoring an upset in the final of three divisions Friday night at Yonkers Raceway. Driven by Dan Dube, the five-year-old daughter of The Panderosa cleared the lead on the first turn and then parked 4-5 favorite Somwherovrarainbow past the opening quarter of :27 1/5. For Somwherovrarainbow, the first quarter was brutal, as not only was she forced wide into the opening bend but she lost her stride and Brian Sears rescued her expertly from a disaster.

Sears kept the fractions honest, guiding his mare to the half in :55 4/5 and three quarters in 1:23 4/5, but could do little to hold off Yagonnakissmeornot in the 1:51 4/5 series-best winning mile. The clocking was just 1/5 off the track record for pacing mares.

Royal Cee Cee N rounded out the top three.

Yagonnakissmeornot, sent off at 2-1, scored her sixth win in 10 starts in 2014 for trainer Rene Allard.

Last year’s Blue Chip Matchmaker champion, Feeling You, woke up in a big way for driver Tyler Buter, scoring in 1:53 1/5. The seven-year-old, sent off at 15-1, followed the cover of Anndrovette down the backstretch but lost that at the three-quarters. Buter kept her motivated and the daughter of Cambest gamely wore down a stubborn pacesetting favorite Rocklamation near the wire. Anndrovette had room in the passing lane but was unable to reach finishing third.

Last year’s Breeders Crown champion, Shelliscape, took full advantage of the pole position for driver Tim Tetrick in another $40,000 Blue Chip Matchmaker division. The five-year-old by Artiscape was able to back down the pace with a :57 opening half and then stormed home with a :55 flat final half for an easy victory at odds of 5-2. Monkey On My Wheel followed the winner around the track for second with Ramalama earning the third spot.

“She’s a very talented mare,” said Tetrick following the race. “She’s got good gate speed. I was very happy with her tonight.”

The victory was the first in four tries this year for Shelliscape and puts her in position to qualify for the rich final on April 26.