First win in two years for longtime trainer

Chip Happened (Lookslikeachpndale) earned harness racing horseman Jim McKague his first win since 2022 on Wednesday (Aug. 21) at Grand River Raceway in a maiden-breaking effort.

The gelding headed the field throughout under the command of Daryl Thiessen. He opened up by four lengths going into the final turn, maintained a cushion to the top of the lane, and held off Kadabrakaboom (Travis Cullen) by three-quarters-of-a-length to win in 1:59.

CHIP HAPPENED REPLAY

Chip Happened was previously winless in nine starts but hit the board in four straight starts before Wednesday’s win. McKague owns and bred the sophomore with Jan McKague Weishar. Jim McKague, who has been training for more than three decades, is 53-for-693 lifetime with $398,099 in earnings. He last won in September 2022 with Massive Ovation at Clinton Raceway.

Grand River Raceway continues its schedule on Monday, Aug. 26 at 6:30 p.m. EDT.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink