Miss DW Chip showed how tough she really is Wednesday, April 15 in the $23,000 Fillies and Mares Invitational Trot on Wednesday at Hoosier Park
. The eight-year-old seasoned mare rounded the oval in a time of 1:56.2, giving Trace Tetrick his first of three wins on the 13-race program.
Starting from the outside post seven, Miss DW Chip rallied out hard for the early lead, joining Dynamite Diva and Peter Wrenn and ABC Bay Bee between horses. The trio headed around the first turn with Dynamite Diva getting the nod at the quarter in :26.2. Almost immediately, ABC Bay Bee and Mark O’Mara took control of the front followed by Miss DW Chip, who finally had her turn at the top.
Heading to the halfway point in :56.4, Miss DW Chip was still spry on the lead as Brad Hanners had BV’s Sister moved to the outside to begin the forward flow. In the stretch, ABC Bay Bee tipped off Miss DW Chip’s back and American Tribute with Andy Shetler also had a shot at unseating the leaders. However, Miss DW Chip would have no part of being defeated, crossing under the wire by three-quarters of a length in front of BV’s Sister. ABC Bay Bee held solid in third.
“This mare (Miss DW Chip) is a gorilla,” said Tetrick. “She had every reason to get beat tonight, but she loves to race and loves competition. You can feel her dig in. She used to be high-strung, but Jeff (Brewer) has done a great job in keeping her quiet and conditioned.”
Miss DW Chip is owned by Dennis Ward of Clarkson, Ky. The daughter of Imperial Glory now has three wins in five starts for 2009 and increased her career bankroll to more than $90,000 for Brewer, 2008 leading trainer at Hoosier Park.
Tetrick returned for the co-featured event in the next race to guide Kelly’s Keepsake to victory in the $25,000 Fillies and Mares Invitational Pace. Moving to the back of the pack at the start, Kelly’s Keepsake sat inside as the lead changed hands several times before the half-mile marker in 58.4.
My Perfect Rhyme and Ricky Macomber Jr. became the ultimate leader into the final turn. Tetrick followed the flow of traffic on the outside, setting third over into the homestretch.
In the final quarter, Kelly’s Keepsake pursued the leaders on the inside and fended off the late-rushing I Y Q and Walter Haynes Jr. from the outside. It took the length of the stretch to get the job done, but Kelly’s Keepsake had the best stride at the wire in 1:55.0. I Y Q was a neck back in second over Park Avenue and Andy Shetler, who also closed late for third.
“She (Kelly’s Keepsake) was really ready to go tonight,” said Tetrick. “She got beat off the fractions last week and the cover wasn’t really taking her anywhere. But tonight, the cover was moving good and got her in position in the stretch. Erv made some minor bridle adjustments too, and that helped. She’s just a classy mare to drive.”
Kelly’s Keepsake is owned by Jack and Peggy Hood along with Mystical Marker Farms and Ken Duffy. Erv Miller trains the four-year-old Illinois-sired Sportsmaster mare.
Tetrick, who was Hoosier Park’s leading driver in 2008, completed his driving triple in the nightcap. The 22-year-old urged Locamotion Baby to victory for trainer Dan Bowermaster, bringing his yearly tally to 12 at Hoosier Park and eighth in the early standings. Tetrick is also closing in on 1,000 career wins after only seven seasons of competition on the track.
(Hoosier Park)