Competing after her first off the board finish in her most recent appearance, Prince Edward Island's 2023 Horse of the Year Chip OF Evil found her way back to the winner's circle in Atlantic Sires Stakes action on Saturday, June 29 at Northside Downs.
Facing three rivals in the first $12,240 ATSS 'A' division, Chip Of Evil was bet down to 1-9 and didn't disappoint her connections or her supporters. Driver Corey MacPherson positioned Chip Of Evil in third as Windemere Sandy (Marc Campbell) fronted the field through early fractions of :27.4 and :58. Pocket-sitter Starship Beauty (Myles Heffernan) took a shot at the leader down the backside and through the 1:28.2 third station, but couldn't clear. Chip Of Evil was following that outer flow move heading to the far turn, and then found the three-wide path to her liking. With open road, Chip Of Evil sped away from her rivals and hit the wire three lengths to the good. The mile was timed in 1:58.4, with Starship Beauty next best and Eenymeenyminymoe (Paul Langille) in for third.
Eddy Doucette trains the Arthur Blue Chip - Evil Fight filly, now with a 10-2-1 summary from 14 starts, for his partners from the Inarush Stable of Kensington, P.E.I. Chip Of Evil ($2.30) now sports a bankroll of $92,363.
After a winless six-start rookie season, Galway Girl has got herself into a good groove as a sophomore. The Brent Campbell trainee was a confident winner in the second 'A' division.
Also sitting third through the first half of the mile, Galway Girl and Marc Campbell watched patiently as Zendayas Firstlady (Heffernan) posted panels of :28.2 and :59.3. At the half, Campbell tugged the right line and asked his filly to forge first up. Zendayas Firstlady wasn't fond of the challenge and stayed strong on the rail through the 1:29.1 third station but buckled under that fierce bid around the final turn. Fern Hill Indigo (Brodie MacPhee) took aim at the new leader late, but it was too late as Galway Girl hit the line more than a length the best in 1:58.1. Fern Hill Indigo and Zendayas Firstlady completed the triactor.
Galway Girl has made five starts this year and posted a 2-1-2 summary in those appearances for P.E.I.-based owners Kent MacDonald of Stratford, Bernard MacDonald of Mount Stewart, Jacinta Campbell of Charlottetown and Brady Doyle of Stratford. The daughter of Shanghai Phil - Hazel lifted her earnings to $17,698 in her first AtSS 'A' division win, paying $4.20 on a $2 win wager.
The $6,000 'B' divisions went to Bettie White (2:01.3; $9.60) and Western Lily (1:59.2; $9.40).
The late David Ratchford was enjoying success with pacing horse Daddys Eyes to start the Northside meet, and the class-climbing stallion paid tribute to his late trainer by tackling the top class Winners Over group for the first time on the undercard.
The free-legged pacer was fifth at the half in the $1,600 dash as Thunder Alley (Gerard Kennedy) controlled the early tempo through fractions of :28.4 and :59.1. Ryan Campbell started the first-over flow with Daddys Eyes, who set sights on the leader through the 1:28.4 third station and appeared to be gaining with every stride turning for home. The question remained if there would be enough stretch for Daddys Eyes to reel in Thunder Alley, and that answer came about 10 strides from the wire with Daddys Eyes prevailing in 1:58.4. Thunder Alley stayed for second, three parts of a length back with Rockinforreal (Jason MacNeil) next best.
Rachael Macdonald of Trenton, N.S. owns and trains Daddys Eyes (Mr Brightside - Nazko Finally), now a five-time winner this year — after a 1-for-32 campaign last year — and 20-time winner in his career. The nine-year-old has banked more than $111,000 lifetime, returning $2.70 to win as the public choice on Saturday.
For the full results from Saturday's card of harness racing at Northside, click the following link: Saturday Results - Northside Downs.
(Standardbred Canada)