Tesla Seelster, Chip Chip Conway take Monticello Opens

Monticello, NY— Tesla Seelster (Muscle Mass) and Chip Chip Conway (Conway Hall) claimed harness racing victories in the $7,200 Open trots on Wednesday (Aug. 23) at Monticello Raceway.

In the first open feature, Jim Taggart Jr busted K J Kyra out on the far outside for the early lead. Tesla Seelster was looking to dive into the two hole. There was a gap of three lengths to Explosive trotting third. At the quarter mile in :29:0, K J Kyra was still in the lead with pocket trip Tesla Seelster following in second.

As they passed the half mile in :59:1, it was still K J Kyra with Tesla Seelster following in second. Jim Taggart Jr had K J Kyra in control with Tesla Seelster on Jim’s helmet.

The three quarters went in 1:28:4 and K J Kyra was still in the lead with Tesla Seelster closing in fast. As they turned for home, Gregory Merton and Tesla Seelster popped out of the two hole and rushed past the favorite K J Kyra to cross the wire first in 1:58:1. K J Kyra finished in second and Patrick Hanover came in third.

TESLA SEELSTER REPLAY

Tesla Seelster is owned and trained by Jeffrey Gillis.

Chip Chip Conway captured the second open trot of the day. First to leave the gate was Innisfallen on the extreme outside. Luvcrunchess quickly stole the lead as they made the first turn. On the inside, Raceace was in second. Chip Chip Conway followed in third as they went by the first quarter in :28:3.

Jim Devaux had Luvcrunchess on top by a length with Raceace in the two hole and Chip Chip Conway in third at the half mile in :58:3.

From the outside, post time favorite Chip Cip Conway started to make his way to the front. At the three-quarter station in 1:28:2, Luvcrunchess was holding on to that lead with Chip Chip Conway in second and Raceace in third.

Chip Chip Conway and Luvcrunchess were eyeball to eyeball as they made their way around the final turn. Pocket trip Raceace was second. Jim Taggart Jr took Chip Chip Conway across the wire first in 1:58:2. Innisfallen finished second with Raceace in third.

CHIP CHIP CONWAY REPLAY

Chip Chip Conway is trained by Gary Messenger and owned by Kenneth Weckstein of Maryland and Gary Messenger from New York.

Racing at Monticello Raceway resumes tomorrow, Thursday, August 24. Post time is 12:10 p.m. ET.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Nicolle Kain, for Harnesslink