Chip Chip Conway went gate-to-wire for his third consecutive victory at Monticello Raceway on Wednesday afternoon in the Open Trot, winning by three lengths.
Driver Jim Taggart Jr. was undeterred from applying early speed by the five-hole and sent Chip Chip Conway two-wide into the first turn to take the front. He did so as the field of six passed the quarter mile in :28.4, and he took a significant breather with a half in :59.2.
Chip Chip Conway edged away from Superiorcourt (Michael Merton), who was sitting second, through the third quarter in 1:28.3 and left his opponents behind with no urging from Taggart in the stretch to win his second straight Open in 1:58.2.
Superiorcourt got home second, and Cinnamon Stick (Bruce Aldrich Jr.), a two-time Open winner this season, closed from last for third. The winner paid $4.20.
CHIP CHIP CONWAY REPLAY
Chip Chip Conway, a five-year-old altered son of Conway Hall, has a 14-for-62 career record and has amassed more than $190,000 in earnings. Kenneth Weckstein of Ocean City owns with Gary Messenger of Monticello, who also conditions the horse.
Also on the card, 13-year-old gelding Quick Deal took his 50th lifetime win in the second. He went wire-to-wire for Merton and trainer Rob Harmon. The Revenue S gelding has made more than $545,000 in his 217-race career, which peaked when he won the $50,000 Horse and Groom Final at The Meadowlands in 2013. The Milford-based Harmon Racing Stable owns with Rossie Smith of Greenville.
Monticello Raceway will return on Thursday, May 13 with a nine-race card beginning at 12:10 p.m. EDT.
For full race results, click here.
by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink