No return winners in Blue Chip Matchmaker Series

Intothemysticmoon (Artspeak) and harness racing driver Yannick Gingras blasted to the front on the opening turn and never looked back in posting a mild upset in the first of three $40,000 divisions in the second round of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series at MGM Yonkers Raceway on Friday (March 22) night. It was the second win of the season for the 5-year-old mare trained by Mickey Burke Jr.

Gingras had post six with Intothemysticmoon and was assertive at the outset while Coachellabound N and Brent Holland left well from post two to keep outside rivals at bay. Once Gingras crossed over, Coachellabound N got steppy midway on the opening bend, giving Karma Seelster and Jordan Stratton the ability to tuck in second position. Intothemysticmoon had the front in 28.1 at the quarter, and 1-2 favorite Incaseyoudidntknow and Andrew McCarthy came off the pylons on an expected first-over journey midway on the second turn.

Gingras was able to get a comfortable half of 56.4 with the 3-1 second choice, and Intotheymisticmoon was unchallenged as she picked up the pace on the third turn as the favorite struggled to make up ground. After three-quarters in 1:25.1, Gingras called on his mare, and she responded with a solid 28.3 final quarter to win convincingly. Karma Seelster held late for second, while Incaseyoudidntknow held third ahead of Coachellabound N.

Owned by Burke Racing Stable, Weaver Bruscemi and Phil Collura, Intothemysticmoon returned $8.30 to win while keying a $35.40 exacta, $80.50 triple and a $12 superfecta for a 10-cent wager.

INTOTHEMYSTICMOON REPLAY

Speed and upsets continued in the second $40,000 Blue Chip Matchmaker division as Jive Dancing A (Rock N Roll Heaven) and Matt Kakaley dominated from start to finish, taking advantage of the pole position to win wire-to-wire as the 7-2 second choice in the field of six mares. Trained by Tahnee Camilleri, Jive Dancing A scored in 1:52.3 for her first win in two 2024 starts.

Jive Dancing A left alertly and forced 1-5 favorite Dougs Babe A to take a seat in the three-hole on the opening bend. Kakaley got Jive Dancing A to the quarter in 27.3 and kept the pace lively, hitting the half in 56.2 with horses in straight alignment.

Jive Dancing A was still motoring towards three-quarters when Dexter Dunn, behind the heavy choice Dougs Babe A, attempted to make a coverless bid. That bid was rebuffed in short order as Jive Dancing A sprinted home in a 28.2 final quarter to complete the mile. Dougs Babe A held her ground for second, with Easy To Please and Man Dontforget Me third and fourth across the wire, respectively.

JIVE DANCING A REPLAY

Owned by Queen Of Hearts Stables and Lav Racing Stable, Jive Dancing A, a 10-year-old mare, returned $9.70 to win and led a $20.80 exacta, $42.60 triple and $3.72 superfecta for 10 cents.

The favorite came to play in the final $40,000 division of the Blue Chip Matchmaker when odds-on choice Mikala (Always B Miki) quarter-moved to the top for driver George Brennan and controlled the remainder of the pace, scoring in 1:53.2 for trainer Nick Drennan.

Delitfulcatherin N and driver Jordan Stratton blasted right to the front as the wings opened with Tony’s Mom, the 5-2 second choice, grabbing the pocket as Brennan left patiently with Mikala. Once the field had aligned, Brennan made his move abruptly and had Mikala moving with purpose to get control before the 27.2 opening quarter. Once on the lead, Brennan cagily stalled the half to 56.3 and awaited challengers.

Gingras and Tony’s Mom pulled shortly before the three quarters, with first leg winner Lit De Rose on her back, but neither posed a serious threat to the winner, who clicked three-quarters in 1:25.1 and appeared quite comfortable heading into the final turn.

Brennan asked Mikala for her best in the stretch, and she responded with a 28.1 final quarter to garner her third win in four starts this year and first victory in the series following a third-place finish in the opening leg. Stratton had ample clearance with Delitfulcatherin N, and the mare held solidly for second, with Lit De Rose advancing to third and Sale El Sol hugging the pylons in fourth over the line.

MIKALA REPLAY

Mikala is owned by Davino, Shackman, Anthony Perretti Farm and Drennan Stable. As the even-money choice, Mikala paid $4.20 to win with the exacta worth $23.40, triple payoff $49.60 and the 10-cent superfecta returning $25.05.

The Blue Chip Matchmaker prelims continue through Friday, April 12 before the $125,000 added final takes place on Monday, April 22.

MGM Yonkers Raceway’s stakes action continues on Monday (March 25) with the second leg of the MGM Borgata Pacing Series. Four $50,000 divisions will be featured on the program. Live racing takes place at Yonkers on a Monday-Friday schedule with post time each night at 7 P.M. (EDT).

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

From Yonkers Raceway