Did you think the Blue Chip Matchmaker and George Morton Levy Series were over?
Me too!
But we have not reached the end. In fact, we are not even close to the end. With three more prelims and the consolations and finals, we have a few more weeks of hot Yonkers stakes competition. So get excited!
Please get excited.
MATCHMAKER | Div. One – Race 5
We only have three divisions of the Matchmaker going on Friday, Mar. 31, including this one, which features a matchup between Mach It A Par, Krispy Apple and Bedroomconfessions.
Of the other entrants, all of whom will not receive play relatively close to the treacherous trio, only one will likely offer any value.
After failing to show any sort of form last week, For The Ladies N draws the rail. Those who read last week’s preview know we expected her to be more forwardly placed and be able to close ground, but she struggled to do both. Now starting from the rail, she may be able to assert herself into the race. Though, she’s not the strongest contender of the three divisions, she’ll likely offer the highest price for those not finding any of the main three to be worth a play.
P.S. Of the top three, Krispy Apple will most likely be an overlay.
MATCHMAKER | Div. Two – Race 6
The main threats in this split — Mackenzie A and Regil Elektra — draw outside, most likely allowing for those inside to have a better chance to place themselves. Another likely to receive pari-mutuel support is Empress Deo, who demonstrated last week her talent to ride a pocket and slide to the lead. However, this is probably the most competitive of the three divisions.
Hopefully, with favoritism concentrated on those three, the odds on either Sandbetweenurtoes, who should improve in her second start over the oval, or Betabcool N, who has finished third in the opening rounds off of sharp off-the-pace efforts, will be heightened. One of the possible value mares isn’t necessarily better than the other, though Sandbetweenurtoes possesses class that could make her a bigger factor than Betabcool N — assuming she regains the form she displayed at Woodbine against the top mares. Value in this race will rely on whether or not the public recognizes these two to be contenders, but both could be 6-1 or higher and deserving of a wager.
MATCHMAKER | Div. Three – Race 7
While the previous division is the most competitive, this one is the most difficult. We are handed a seemingly vulnerable favorite with Shesjustadelight N that will probably not be the favorite if the public disobeys the morning line and goes with Medusa, who moves to the rail off a fast-closing trip from an outside post. If the public is smart, and they only are about 33 percent of the time, they’ll take Medusa.
But then where do we go? We are just value-seeking vagabonds, forced to wander across the remaining competitors. On our travels, we eventually encounter Lispatty, who has raced and finished well in both prelims. Usually a stalker, she raced from second over to finish fourth in the last round, and will likely be coming from a similar spot this week. Medusa will be her toughest rival, especially if she gets the perfect, pocket trip that carries even paraplegic goats to victory.
“Levy” Me Alone so I can Handicap, Mom!
Oh boy, we have four divisions of the George Morton Levy Series set to go on Saturday, April 1. Let’s make this quick.
Folks, yt’s time for Speed Levys.
LEVY | Div. One – Race 5
This race should set up for Soto assuming speedsters Somewhere In L A and Rockin Ron speed themselves so much that their speed falls out. From there, Soto, likely riding the rail, will crawl by to win at a decent price.
LEVY | Div. Two – Race 6
Oof, this one’s a toughie. Missile J will be the prohibitive favorite, meaning he is a favorite we are prohibited to like (that’s a joke, ladies and gentlemen).
Missile J should definitely be considered and recognized as the top contender in this division, but Great Vintage could be a good price as he appears to be rounding into form in his third start off a layoff. Drawing better, he should be close to the pace, which will be paramount if he is to be involved.
LEVY | Div. Three – Race 7
Kesytone Velocity and Provocativeprincen from posts one and three will take a majority of the play. In between them is Caviart Luca, who should finally have a chance to perform in this series after poor efforts from outside draws. He has speed, so he should be able to place himself into the action from post two.
LEVY | Div. Four – Race 9
Unfortunately, the two possible value contenders, Guantanamo Bay and Melmerby Beach, will not offer the odds they did last week. Yet, aside from the favorite Bit Of A Legend N, they are the only ones that possess the ability required to win here. Guantanamo Bay, with his closing ability paired alongside an inside draw, and Melmerby Beach, capitalizing off a perfect trip in his second start off a layoff, could still go off decent odds of 4-1 or higher if Bit Of A Legend N takes heavy enough play.
Preview Review
We have no bounce back list this week because of the “Levystravaganza”, but a modified bounce back list will return next week.
As for last week, Mackenzie A ($6.80 to win, $4.00 to place and $4.90 to show) was the lone winner of the weekend. For The Ladies N (seventh, 22-1), going in division one, failed to put herself in the race and instead chased her competitors around the track, and Change The Rulz N (fifth, 26-1) didn’t have a strong enough kick in the stretch to win.
P H Supercam (third, $6.50) was our best performer of the Levys, chasing home favorites Missile J and Somewhere In L A to hit the board at 51-1. Otherwise, Mcardles Lightning (seventh, 3-1) broke at the start and never showed pace, Guantanamo Bay (fifth, 18-1) was once again too late with his stretch-drive rush, and Artistic Major (fourth, 12-1) could not capitalize off of a perfect trip.
And here are the results of our contenders on last week’s Bounce Back list:
- Downundermatter (Mlnds, R6 3/24) – third, $11.80
- Laser Lucy (PcD, R13 3/25)– eighth, 40-1
- Mach On The Beach (Wdb, R4 3/25) – third, $3.30
- Rock The Town (DD, R11 3/27) – fourth, 5-2
