The majority of the betting public was on the bandwagon of Hypnotic Blue Chip in Saturday’s $30,000 Free-For-All Handicap at The Meadowlands, and the veteran pacer didn’t disappoint his backers.
The eight-year-old son of Art Major-A Traceofmagic took charge early for driver John Campbell and comfortably cruised to his 34th lifetime victory.
Campbell and Hypnotic Blue Chip took a brief two-hole tuck behind Escape The News who served up an opening quarter clocked in :27. Campbell called on Hypnotic Blue Chip to swoop to the lead in the second quarter, and the pacer cleared to the top without a tussle. He led the field through middle panels of :54.3 and 1:23.2 before summoning up a final quarter of :27.3 to win by a length over Arockin Hanover in 1:51. Escape The News settled for the show dough.
Kevin Mc Dermott trains the career winner of close to $1.8 million for owner Fran Azur of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania.
Despite less-than-perfect weather conditions, the $3,559,673 handle was a 23 percent increase over the $2,890,130 wagered on the same Saturday in 2013.
To view results for Saturday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Saturday Results – Meadowlands Racetrack.