Chip Chip Conway retakes Open throne

Monticello Raceway top-class mainstay Chip Chip Conway ended a five-race losing streak on Wednesday with his seventh Open Trot victory of the year at the harness racing track.

The son of Conway Hall, off at 1/2, was a stride slow leaving his post three and had to work to the front on the outside. He completed the first quarter in :29.4, and driver Jim Taggart Jr. backed the five-year-old gelding down further to a 1:00 half.

The backfield offered no pressure as Chip Chip Conway completed three-quarters in 1:28.4, and he cruised to the finish with little encouragement from Taggart to take the Open by two-and-three-quarter lengths in 1:57.3.

Kabang (Michael Merton) followed the winner throughout and finished second. Cyclone Maximus (Cory Stratton) converted a three-hole trip into a show check.

CHIP CHIP CONWAY REPLAY

The win was Chip Chip Conway’s 18th in his 74-start career. He has earned $212,601 for owners and breeders Kenneth Weckstein of Ocean City and Monticello local Gary Messenger, who trains the horse.

Monticello Raceway finishes its week of racing on Thursday, Aug. 26 with an eight-dash program that will kick off at 12:10 p.m. EDT.

For full race results, click here.

by Nicholas Barnsdale, for Harnesslink