'Chip' Paying Dividends For Brooks

Published: February 25, 2021 05:11 pm EST

Precision Bluechip won Sunday evening at Rosecroft. Again.

The six-year-old pacer, by Bettors Delight, has won three of four starts this year after winning four Open Handicaps at the track last year, 11 races in all and being named top pacer of Rosecroft’s 2020 fall meet. Since July, Precision Bluechip has won 14 races.

This has all been quite pleasing for owner and trainer Courtney Brooks, who has a two-horse stable and is a mom with two children virtual learning in the age of COVID.

“I think it’s crazy,” said Brooks of Precision Bluechip’s winning record. “Every single time he races he just keeps coming and coming, pulling [races] out of the hat. He’s a special horse.”

While she only has a two-horse stable, Brooks has been around harness racing her entire life.

“I guess you can call me a legacy,” she said. Brooks comes from a family of standardbred owners and trainers. Her grandfather is Eddie Gannon, her uncle is Jay Gannon and her father Wayne Young.

The story of how she acquired Precision Bluechip begins in 2018 when she purchased Redwood Again, a now six-year-old pacer who has a win and two seconds in five starts this year. It just so happened the stall next to Redwood Again at Windswept Farm where Brooks trains was occupied by Precision Bluechip.

“I’d seen Chip, and knew his history,” Brooks said. When Precision Bluechip’s owner died, Brooks approached the estate and asked the family if she could purchase Chip. Brooks and Chip have made a remarkable pair.

“I liked Chip,” Brooks said. “I wanted to purchase him because he was a horse who takes cares of himself. I knew I could train him by myself. I knew I could jog him by myself. I knew I could train him, and it was something I could do without any help.”

Precision Bluechip’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed by fans and horsemen, and that is what has made the journey such fun for Brooks.

“What’s nice is I haven’t met anyone who isn’t happy for Chip,” Brooks said. “If I’m walking in the paddock or on the track people are giving us a thumbs up or ‘way to go.’ Everyone has been super nice.”

As for future plans, Brooks said she simply wants to enjoy the ride.

“I’m happy where I am,” she said. “If it happens, that’s great, too. But I’m not out asking for other people’s horses. I’m just taking it day-to-day, week-to-week. I’m just enjoying everything.”

(Rosecroft Raceway)

Tags
Have something to say about this? Log in or create an account to post a comment.