It was a night to remember for three-year-old trotters and driver Trevor Ritchie on the Friday evening card at Pompano Park
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Ritchie was in the bike to pilot three-year-old Celebrity Blue Chip to an impressive 1:58.2 victory. It was the season's debut for the Credit Winner-Precious Lindy colt, a $170,000 purchase from the Lexington Selected sale.
All Power, in rein to Kevin Wallis, left hard from the outside post nine but could not hold off the third quarter onslaught from Celebrity Blue Chip, who did not register a top three finish in nine starts as a two-year-old. At the end, Celebrity Blue Chip was strong and impressive through the wire with another promising three year old, Borga Crash, closing next best for the runner-up share. All Power persisted for third in the maiden trot event. Staffan Lind trains Celebrity Blue Chip for Celebrity Farms, Herbert Burns and Stephen Demeter of New York.
Just as impressive as Celebrity Blue Chip was three-year-old filly trotter Secret Magic with a 1:57.2 tally in her 2010 debut. She sat well off the lead and was perfectly timed at the finish by Bruce Ranger to defeat Money Machine and Super Railee. Secret Magic, by Cantab Hall from Chorine Hanover, is a sister to millionaire filly Possess The Magic.
Trained by Ron Gurfein, Secret Magic is owned by Brittany Farms of Kentucky and from nine starts last year in Grand Circuit and stakes company she won twice and amassed earnings of over $81,000.
The other three-year-old trotter to win on Friday night was Yankee Glide-Fan Favourite gelding Leonidas De Vie. He toppled maiden competition by backing down the tempo to 1:33.2 at the three quarters to set up a 2:03.4 win over Manzzuto and Pretty Girl. Leonidas De Vie is owned and trained by Tommy Andersson of Sweden.
In addition to reining in Celebrity Blue Chip, Trevor Ritchie returned to the winner's circle after the $15,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap Pace with Major Trap in 1:52.4. He executed a perfect second over trip for the 10-1 upset as race favourite Im Just Special laid down fractions of :27, :55.3, and 1:24.1 before tiring early in the stretch. Wild Ride Hanover did the first-over road work and persisted for third while Flip For Love split rivals late for the runner-up share.
The-five-year old Art Major-Hare Trap miss thus earned her third straight win for owner-trainer Ron MacArthur of Boynton Beach and co-owner Richard Smith of Falls Church, VA. Major Trap is now a career winner of over $151,000.
(Pompano Park)