Chip Chip Conway back on top

Chip Chip Conway rebounded on Wednesday in the Monticello Raceway Open Trot after two straight defeats in the top harness racing class.

The Gary Messenger trainee vied for the lead in the center of the circuit as the field of seven swung into the first turn. One Direction (Michael Merton) went off stride from the inside attempting to resist Chip Chip Conway’s advance and continued galloping at full speed down the backstretch. Chip Chip Conway took sole command of the race for Jim Taggart Jr. once Merton reined in One Direction at the quarter mile marker in :28.2.

Taggart Jr. set up a :59.2 second-quarter breather for Chip Chip Conway before accelerating to three-quarters in 1:28.4 to deal with a first-over challenge from Credit List (Justin Huckabone). The latter pressured the leader, but Chip Chip Conway shook free at the top of the stretch and cruised to a season-best 1:58.1 score. Credit List finished second over Big Bad Swan (Michael Miller), who was third.

CHIP CHIP CONWAY REPLAY

Chip Chip Conway has raced on the New York circuit for all 68 of his career starts. The five-year-old Conway Hall gelding has 17 wins to his credit and $204,612 in earnings. Monticello local Gary Messenger trains the horse, whom he co-owns and bred with Kenneth Weckstein of Ocean City.

Matt Zuccarello won the day’s Catskill Amateur Drivers Series Final for his ninth tally of the season. He slotted Burning Desire in third, popped the gelding first-up past the half, and urged him past a tired Midnight Shark (Joe Lee) late to win in 1:58.2. Midnight Shark came away with place; Back On Board N (Gerald Fielding) finished third.

BURNING DESIRE/MATT ZUCCARRELLO REPLAY

Miguel Alejo Hernandez claimed Burning Desire, an 11-time winner in 78 starts with $73,340 in earnings, from the race. It is the second time the horse will change hands in two weeks. Robert Harmon trained the son of Somebeachsomewhere in the Wednesday start.

Zuccarello is nine-for-44 on the season and 26-for-258 in his driving career.

Monticello Raceway finishes its racing week on Thursday, Jun. 8. The day’s nine dashes will start at 12:10 p.m. EDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink