In a three-way photo for win, Plunge Blue Chip racing on the stand’s side landed a nose in front of Kenziesky Hanover and 86-1 Princess Deo to win the $40,000 fourth leg of the Miss Versatility on Saturday (Aug. 1) at the Meadowlands.
Grand Swan cleared command past a :27.1 first quarter and slowed the tempo heading to a :57 half. Princess Deo soon angled first over and ground towards the lead as Grand Swan quickened to three-quarters in 1:24.4. At this point Plunge Blue Chip—the 2-5 favourite—tipped to race third over after getting shuffled in the backstretch.
Princess Deo forged to the front entering the eighth pole while Kenziesky Hanover began to shake loose from the pocket. Trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt meanwhile angled Plunge Blue Chip to the center of the course and kicked for the front late in the stretch. Gathering momentum, Plunge Blue Chip edged past Kenziesky Hanover in the final strides to win in 1:52.2 while Princess Deo settled for third.
A five-year-old mare by Muscle Mass, Plunge Blue Chip won her first race from four starts this season and her 20th from 42 overall, earning $1,281,668. She competes for owners Ake Svansted Inc., Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc. and Tomas Andersson and paid $2.80 to win.