Protect Blue Chip Wins Third Straight At Buffalo

HAMBURG, N.Y. — It was a new strategy for Protect Blue Chip at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday evening (July 14) but the outcome was still the same. Victorious in three of her last four harness racing starts in the Class A-Open Pace for the filly and mares, all of Protect Blue Chip’s wins have been in wire-to-wire fashion.

Getting a first over journey this time around in the $11,100 featured event, Protect Blue Chip (Jim Morrill Jr.) was able to wear down the pace setting Ellieonthemove (Kevin Cummings) by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:55.2.

The time equaled her seasonal best registered in last week’s length triumph.

Protect Blue Chip, now victorious in three consecutive races, was able to drop into fourth place at the start of the event as Ellieonthemove knocked out splits of :28.0, :57.3 and 1:26.3 over the fast track.

Heading down the backstretch the final time, Protect Blue Chip came out first over and got on even terms with Ellieonthemove turning for home. In the stretch, Protect Blue Chip slowly nudged ahead of a stubborn Ellieonthemove and managed to increase her advantage to 1-3/4 lengths at the finish line. Yankee Secret (David McNeight III) finished in third.

Co-owned by the Vogel & Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock, Protect Blue Chip (American Ideal-Lucky Turn) is trained by Maria Rice. The 6-year-old mare has won six times in 12 outings in 2021, putting $39,840 in the bank and $169,205 lifetime.

Braxten Boyd, a 21-year-old driver who crafts his trade on the Monticello and Tioga Downs circuit, made his initial appearance of his career at Buffalo Raceway and it didn’t take him long to get the photo opportunity.

Boyd, in his first trip around the Buffalo Raceway half mile oval, made it a successful one as he steered Stay Beautiful to a $12.00 victory for trainer Jennifer Giuliani, beating Queen Of Thrones by a head in 1:55.3.

It didn’t take the Boyd and Giuliani combo to strike again as Rise Up Now posted a popular $3.90 victory in the fifth race.

Morrill Jr. completed the evening with three victories in the sulky.

The last two live programs of the 2021 season at Buffalo Raceway are coming up this weekend. There’s an eight-race card on Friday evening at 5 p.m. while the finale on Saturday starts at 6 p.m. with an eight-race program slated.

For more information including the latest news, race replays, entries and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com

by Brian J. Mazurek, for Buffalo Raceway