Matchmaker, Levy kick off this weekend

Yonkers Raceway's premier events for the "mature" crowd begin this weekend, with opening rounds of both the Blue Chip Matchmaker (Friday) and George Morton Levy Memorial Pacing Series (Saturday).

"Ladies first" finds five, $40,000 Matchmaker divisions, going as races 4,6,7,9 and 10. Trainer Ron Burke, who nominated nine mares to the series, is making them all wing for their supper in the first foray.

Friday night's first grouping includes last season's Lady Maud winner, Bettor B Lucky (Tim Tetrick, post 7), parimutuelly positioned with Hot List (Yannick Gingras, post 1). Also in the sewing circle are millionairess Western Silk (Brian Sears, post 3) and last week's Open Handicap winner, Krispy Apple (Matt Kakaley, post 5).

The second division finds Ginger and Fred (Kakaley, post 2) making her seasonal debut while looking to add to her $1.7 million bankroll. She's teamed with Camille (Gingras, post 6).

Friday's third get-together has the likes of Rock N Soul (Gingras, post 3), who's partnered with Darena Hanover (Kakaley, post 6). They draw in against standout statebred--and horse for the course--Handsoffmycookie (Tim Tetrick, post 4), along with classy lass Feeling You (Tyler Buter, post 1).

The fourth Matchmaker event sees defending series champ Rocklamation (Gingras, post 5)--with $1.2 million on account collide with milllionairess twice over Anndrovette (Tetrick, post 7). The latter is a two-time divisional champion. The former is in partnership with Foxy Lady (Kakaley, post 3).

Friday's final series group includes Ramona Disomma (Dan Dube, post 4) cross the river with two consecutive wins.

Saturday's opening round of the Levy is comprised of six consecutive, $50,000 divisions, going as races 5 through 10.

The series once again serves as the annual launch party for Foiled Again. The sport's all-time richest pacer ($4.625 million), who's also a two-time series champion (2009-2010), drew the pylons in the final series event.

Foiled Again, a 9-year-old Real Artist gelding making his 170th career start, has earned a million racing in Westchester alone.

Gingras again takes the seat for Burke, as he does behind Atochia. Another of Burke's half-dozen Levy entrants, the defending series champ--and $1.7 million winner--landed post No. 6 in the evening's fifth division.

Leading the first division is Versado (Sears, post 6 after an inside scratch), already a six-figure earner this season with wins in half of his 10 starts.

The second event includes double-millionaire One More Laugh (Tetrick, post 2) and $1.1 million winner Annie'swesterncard (Gingras, post 5). Division three features season-debuting millionaire Clear Vision (Gingras, post 2), while the fourth event includes all-age track record-holder Sapphire City (Brent Holland, post 2).

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