Protect Blue Chip employed a new strategy at Buffalo Raceway on Wednesday evening (July 14), but the outcome was still the same. Victorious in three of her previous four starts in the Class A-Open Pace for fillies and mares, all of Protect Blue Chip's wins thus far have been in wire-to-wire fashion.
Getting a first-over journey this time around in the $11,100 featured event, Protect Blue Chip (Jim Morrill Jr.) was able to wear down the pacesetting Ellieonthemove (Kevin Cummings) by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:55.2. The time equaled her seasonal best, registered last week.
Protect Blue Chip, now victorious in three consecutive races, was able to drop into fourth at the start of the event as Ellieonthemove knocked out splits of :28, :57.3 and 1:26.3 over a fast track.
Heading up the backstretch the final time, Protect Blue Chip came out first-over and got on even terms with Ellieonthemove turning for home. In the stretch, Protect Blue Chip slowly nudged ahead of a stubborn Ellieonthemove and managed to increase her advantage to 1-3/4 lengths at the finish line. Yankee Secret (David McNeight III) finished third.
Co-owned by the Vogel & Wags Nags Stable, Team Rice Racing and Adelphi Bloodstock, Protect Blue Chip is trained by Maria Rice. The six-year-old American Ideal-Lucky Turn mare has won six times in 12 outings in 2021, putting $39,840 in the bank and $169,205 lifetime.
Braxten Boyd, a 21-year-old driver who crafts his trade on the Monticello and Tioga Downs circuit, made his first ever appearance at Buffalo Raceway, and it didn't take him long to get a photo opportunity.
Boyd made his first trip around the Buffalo Raceway half-mile oval a successful one as he steered Stay Beautiful to a $12.00 victory for trainer Jennifer Giuliani, beating Queen Of Thrones by a head in 1:55.3.
It didn't take the Boyd and Giuliani team to strike again, as Rise Up Now posted a popular $3.90 victory in the fifth race.
Morrill completed the evening with three victories in the sulky.
The last two live programs of the 2021 season at Buffalo Raceway are coming up this weekend. There is an eight-race card on Friday evening (July 16) at 5 p.m., while the finale on Saturday (July 17) starts at 6 p.m. with an eight-race program slated.
For more information, including the latest news, race replays, entries and results, go to www.buffaloraceway.com.
(Buffalo Raceway)