Trot Insider has learned that millionaire trotter Hot Shot Blue Chip has been officially retired at the age of eight.
Trainer Jonas Czerynson confirmed late last week that the son of Revenue S sustained an injury to his right knee and the decision was made to shut the speedster down.
Well-known for his inconsistency despite attaining millionaire status, Czerynson joked that Hot Shot Blue Chip likely left as much money as he made on the track because of his streaky nature. One race that Czernyson agrees did cement him as one of the better older trotters of his group was the 2012 Credit Winner, in which he knocked off Arch Madness, Chapter Seven and Mister Herbie at Vernon Downs.
The Credit Winner win helped Hot Shot Blue Chip to his best season for money ($392,810) and also gave him his 1:51.2s speed badge.
“He shocked a lot of people that day (the Credit Winner), beating Chapter Seven, other than Jonas and the horse’s owner," said driver Corey Callahan after the Credit Winner in 2012. "The horse has a lot of talent, but he just doesn’t always want to use it. He can trot very, very fast and is naturally gifted. He’s made a million dollars, he’s done the right thing enough times to make that money.”
Hot Shot Blue Chip retires with 21 wins in 82 starts. Owned by Maine's Thomas Dillon, the trotter will be retired to Czerynson's farm outside Allentown, N.J., where he will once again be accompanied by his companion pony, Belle.