Diamond Classic winner scores in AtSS

Chip Of Evil (Arthur Blue Chip), winner of the inaugural Diamond Classic last year, took her first Atlantic Sires Stakes win of the harness racing season on Saturday (Jun. 28) at Northside Downs.

Facing just three sophomore filly rivals, she parked in third for Corey MacPherson before swinging out onto cover on the backstretch. First-over Starship Beauty (Myles Heffernan) battled with pacesetter Windemere Sandy (Marc Campell) into the final turn, but that duel was relegated to one for second as Chip Of Evil soared by both and cleared by three lengths to win in 1:58.4. Starship Beauty held off the closing Eenymeenyminemoe (Paul Langille) for second.

CHIP OF EVIL REPLAY

Chip Of Evil is now two-for-four on the season for trainer Eddy Doucette. She won multiple stakes events and won eight of 10 races at two, including the Diamond Classic slot race. The sophomore has now earned $92,363 for Inarush Stable of Kensington.

In the second A-level split, another field of four, Galway Girl (Shanghai Phil) came first-up from third on the penultimate turn, fought past leader Zendayas Firstlady (Heffernan) and extended her advantage to a length-and-a-half as she secured victory in 1:58.1. Fern Hill Indigo (Brody MacPhee) finished second over the fading Zendayas Firstlady.

GALWAY GIRL REPLAY

It was Galway Girl’s second win in five tries this year after a winless rookie season. She is now two-for-11 lifetime with $17,698 in earnings. Brent Campbell trains the filly for Kent Macdonald of Stratford, Bernard Macdonald of Mount Stewart, Jacinta Campbell of Charlottetown, and Brady Doyle of Stratford.

Bettie White (Arthur Blue Chip, Zach Mullins, 2:01.3) and Western Lily (Malicious, Heffernan, 1:59.2) won the B divisions.

Northside Downs will resume racing on Saturday, Jul. 6.

For complete Atlantic Sires Stakes standings, click here.

For complete race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink