Lit De Rose Fastest In Fourth Matchmaker Leg

Kicking off the fourth leg of the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series, the Quebec-owned mare Lit De Rose and driver/trainer Patrick Lachance rallied boldly to get up in the final stride and win the fastest of the three $40,000 divisions on Friday night (April 7) at MGM Yonkers Raceway. The eight-year-old by Leader Bayama overtook Karma Seelster in the final strides in a 1:52.4 mile to claim her first win in the series following three on-the-board finishes.

Mabalene N and driver Jason Bartlett blasted to the front over 6-5 favourite Gotthegreenlight and Dexter Dunn into the first turn and cut opening-half fractions of :27.4 and :57 under little duress. Approaching the three-quarters mark, Matt Kakaley pulled Karma Seelster from third to attack, with Lachance and Lit De Rose moving to the outside but advancing slowly off cover. Mabalene N hit three-quarters in 1:24.3 but was under intense pressure on the final turn, with Karma Seelster wresting command into the homestretch. Lachance set Lit De Rose in motion and the veteran mare kicked home for the victory by a head over Karma Seelster. Mabalene N third finished third over Gotthegreenlight, who found room to the inside in mid-stretch but failed to respond to urging.

Owned and bred by Guy Corbeil of Mirabel, Que., Lit De Rose was a winner for the second time in 11 starts this year. She is a 37-time winner in her life and her bankroll stands at $728,737.