Amazing Dream N wires field in $328,200 Matchmaker

Amazing Dream N (Bettor’s Delight) and driver Yannick Gingras drew the pole for Monday’s (April 24) $328,200 Blue Chip Matchmaker Series harness racing final at MGM Yonkers Raceway and used that position to advantage, setting all the fractions and drawing clear in the homestretch to score an impressive victory in a 1:53.1 mile.

Sent off as the 5-2 second choice, Amazing Dream N held off a strong closing Lit De Rose, with favored Dougs Babe A settling for third.

The inside horses all left with purpose, but Gingras showed his hand, and that settled the early pace before the opening turn with Amazing Dream N on top and Racine Bell with Jason Bartlett willingly taking the two-hole. Dougs Babe A, the 4-5 favorite with Dexter Dunn, sat third, and Lucky Artist A and Braxten Boyd were content to travel in fourth in the early stages.

Following a moderate 27.4 opening quarter, the race changed as Racine Bell made an uncharacteristic break in stride. That allowed Amazing Dream N to reach the half unchallenged in 56.4. Boyd and Lucky Artist A were the first to move, with Lit De Rose and Pat Lachance following her cover.

Amazing Dream N kept a decent clip up the backstretch, with Lucky Artist A a safe distance away through three-quarters in 1:25.1. Gingras was mindful of the pocket-sitting favorite through the final turn, but Lit De Rose loomed a danger when Lachance sent her three-deep on the final bend.

“I was trying to keep Dexter (Dunn) locked in but when I saw Pat (Lachance) go three-wide I asked my mare,” said Gingras.

The sprint home saw Amazing Dream N flash a 28 second quarter to win comfortably. Lit De Rose out-sprinted Dougs Babe A, who dealt with tight quarters in the stretch and clearly lacked the momentum necessary after finding room. Last year’s champion Drama Act used the pylons and then angled out in the stretch to finish fourth, while Lucky Artist A held fifth.

AMAZING DREAM N REPLAY

It was the fourth win in five starts this year for Amazing Dream N, who is trained by Linda Toscano for owners Enviro Stable, Richard Gutnick, Tom Pontone and Joseph Lozito Jr. Amazing Dream N returned $7.20 to win and led a $123.50 exacta and a $348.50 trifecta. The 7-year-old mare now has 30 lifetime wins and earnings of $1,484,586.

“We’ve been invited to the Betsy Ross,” said Toscano following the race, indicating that Amazing Dream N would be pointed towards the race at Harrah’s Philadelphia on May 28.

Delitfulcatherin N (Bettor’s Delight) and driver Jordan Stratton captured the $75,000 Blue Chip Matchmaker consolation as the 4-5 favorite for owner Mark Ford and trainer Jeff Gillis.

The imported mare made a regaining move at the quarter and set comfortable fractions in scoring in 1:52.4 over Morning Has Broken and Gotthegreenlight. It was the third win of the year for the 7-year-old mare who returned $3.90 to win and keyed a $35.20 exacta and a $139.00 trifecta. Delitfulcatherin N made her 23rd appearance in the winner’s circle overall and pushed her bankroll to $468,199.

DELITFULCATHERIN N REPLAY

For complete race results, click here.

From Yonkers Racewayd