Chin Chin Hall best in blanket finish

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – With the exception of what route he took through the stretch, Chin Chin Hall made it two wins in his last three tries in the Saturday night harness racing feature, the $36,000 Open Trot, at The Meadowlands Saturday night after going a four-hole trip.

The Cash Hall-Canland Hall product won this event on Sept. 4 by swerving to the center of the track and methodically making his way to the lead nearing the finish. This time around, he waited for room along the inside and as horses vacated their spots along the pylons, Chin Chin Hall closed with a rush to get his seventh win of the season from just 17 starts.

“I just wanted to get away as close as possible,” said driver Victor Kirby. “Things were good, especially when the rail opened up. He just punched home. He does what you ask him, but you have to ask him.”

Lovedbythemasses, the even-money favorite, went to the lead seeking his second straight Open score, but on a night when the track bias was unkind to horses racing on the point, he could not maintain his edge and ended up finishing 4^th in a four-way photo in the six-horse field.

Chin Chin Hall, a Nifty Norman trainee, has filled his fans’ pockets with green, returning $17.40 to win as the fourth choice in the wagering two weeks after paying $35.40. Crystal Fashion was a neck back in second with Big Oil third. The time for the mile was 1:51.4 for the 5-year-old gelding, who is owned by Oldford Racing and David McDuffee. He now has 12 wins from 43 lifetime starts and earnings of $656,040.

CHIN CHIN HALL REPLAY

On the undercard, Vettel N stayed in striking position through the stretch and just got up in a three-way photo to take the $100,000-$150,000 claiming handicap pace for a second consecutive week.

The 8-year-old gelded son of American Ideal-Talk To Angels lowered his lifetime-best to 1:48.3 in defeating Twin B Tuffenuff by a nose with 2-1 favorite Semi Tough third. Vettel N, who was driven by Vinny Ginsburg and is trained by Jenn Bongiorno, returned $10.40 to his backers as the fourth choice in the betting in winning for the 32^nd time from 125 lifetime tries.

A LITTLE MORE: Kirby led the driver’s colony with three winners. George Napolitano Jr. and Ginsburg had two apiece. … Edwin Quevedo and Norman each trained a pair to victory lane. Norman finished the weekend with five victories … There were no winning tickets sold in the 20-cent Pick-6, creating a carryover of $4,002.65. Those with five correct collected $233.82. … All-source handle totaled $2,231,892. … Racing resumes Friday at 6:20 p.m.

For full race results, click here.

by Dave Little, for The Meadowlands