After setting a stout pace, Machnhope ($4.60) had just enough to determinedly prevail in a three-mare battle to the winning post in Sunday s (July 11) featured $22,500 winners-over distaff pace at Harrah s Philadelphia.
The 6-year-old daughter of Mach Three and Hope For Life used a :27 first quarter to clear for the lead from post 7, and she remained uncontested through splits of :55.3 and 1:23 in line to Andy McCarthy while shaded by pocket rival Major Occasion A. With three-sixteenths to go, Dexter Dunn angled Major Occasion A out of the pocket to engage Machnhope, which enabled Eclipse Me N to claim the pocket and take aim up the open stretch. Despite being surrounded by challengers in the lane, Machnhope found the finish line in time, keeping Eclipse Me N a neck at bay in 1:50.4. Major Occasion A leveled off late but maintained third, while Warrawee Ubeaut a 21-time winner with earnings approaching $1.8 million only mustered a fourth-place finish, beaten 2 1/4 lengths, in he
After watching Machnhope win her first two starts in the Blue Chip Matchmaker Series for older female pacers, trainer Noel Daley held the mare out of last week’s action. As she prepares to return for Friday’s fourth round, Daley is happy with the decision.
Machnhope is the 8-5 morning-line favourite in the second of two $35,000 divisions of the Matchmaker at Yonkers Raceway. Ten mares were entered this week, with three of the top-seven in points including unbeaten Alexa Skye sitting out. Blue Ivy, who has a win and two seconds in the series, is the 9-5 favourite in the first division.