Don’t Chip Me takes flight

Don’t Chip Me unleashed a late flurry that saw her gain three positions in the final eighth to complete a last-to-first victory in the Monticello Raceway Fillies and Mares Open on Monday.

Michael Merton placed the Hypnotic Blue Chip mare in the trailing position through :27.4 and :57.1 opening panels as Sandy Win (Braxten Boyd) and Motu Moonbeam N (Joseph Chindano Jr.) swapped positions twice at the front. Don’t Chip Me started her second-over move while passing the half mile marker and followed Chasethecloudsaway (Bruce Aldrich Jr.) on the outside.

Don’t Chip Me remained fourth as the field of six passed three-quarters in 1:26.1 with his cover still grinding away first-up. Merton pulled the mare out as they angled into the stretch, and she uncorked her pace in the last 1/16th of mile to blow by all three foes in front of her for the 1:55.4 score.

Chasetheclouds away edged Sandy Win for second. The latter settled for third.

DON’T CHIP ME REPLAY

Don’t Chip Me is a four-year-old John Hallett trainee. She has won 13 of 61 lifetime starts and has made $79,478. She was won two Fillies and Mares Opens in a row. Rick and Geoffrey Howles of Lake Orion and Pompano Beach respectively co-own with Hallett, a resident of Margate.

Monticello Raceway proceeds with its weekday schedule with an eight-race program on Tuesday, Aug. 31. Another Open Pace headlines the day’s racing, which will begin at 12:10 p.m. EDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink