After biting off a bit more than he could chew in both the elimination and then the consolation of the Goodtimes Stakes at Mohawk Racetrack earlier this month, Pegasus Blue Chip took his show on the road to Elora on Monday and added his name to Grand River
Raceway’s record book.
Trainer/driver Blair Burgess hustled the three-year-old son of Glidemaster-Paloma Hanover to the lead from Post 6 and after four left turns the colt crossed the line with 5-1/4 lengths to spare in a track record-setting performance of 1:58. The clocking shaved two-fifths of a second off the former mark of 1:58.2 set by Poof K on September 1, 2010.
Pegasus Blue Chip parked past the quarter pole in :28.3 before crossing down the pylons and supplying the field with middle splits of :58.3 and 1:28. A final quarter trotted in a :30-second clip was more than enough to deliver as the 9-5 choice in the eight-horse affair. Ironclad was next best, with Southwind Califon taking home the show dough.
Brittany Farms, Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc, Little E LLC and Pegasus Partners share ownership on the three-time winner who has banked $53,981 to date.
In other Monday evening action at Grand River Raceway, Indiana Hall wired up the rivals he squared off with in the $10,000 Preferred #2 in 1:57.2 for the tandem of driver Trevor Henry and trainer Ian Downey. The eight-year-old son of Striking Sahbra-Inverlochy supplied intervals of :28.3, :59 and 1:28.3 before kicking home in :28.4 to win by a pair of lengths over Zorgwijk Jock in 1:57.2 The show dough was doled out to Brawn Seelster.
It was the third consecutive tally and the 37th lifetime victory for the career winner of $647,902. The OSS graduate is owned by the S S G Stables of North Boston, NY.
Acceptable Risk extended his winning streak to two-in-a-row thanks to his front-stepping score in the $9,500 Preferred #3 for the duo of driver Trevor Henry and trainer Dan Morrissey. The eight-year-old son of Intrepid Seelster-Southernbound was parked three-wide at the quarter pole in :27.2 before muscling his way to the top and supplying middle fractions of :56.4 and 1:25.3 en route to his neck decision over Donegal Gerald in 1:55.4. Longshot Come Back tagged along to finish third.
Sent off as the 6-5 second choice in the wagering, Acceptable Risk improved his 2011 record to 4-7-1 in 20 starts for the partnership of David Morrissey of Ailsa Craig along with Dan McCann and William Woodburn of Parkhill, ON. The veteran has stashed away more than $50,000 this season and $624,888 in his career.
To view results for Monday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Monday Results – Grand River Raceway.