Five-year-old Chuckthemillionair kept the ball rolling in his remarkable rookie season as he ascended to the top of the Tioga Downs class ladder and emerged victorious in the $23,611 Open Trot with a new lifetime mark on Saturday, Aug. 23.
Kyle Dibenedetto got him away fourth while millionaire Duly Resolved (Tyler Miller) led through first-half splits of :26.4 and :56. Chuckthemillionair made his move first-over going down the backstretch and made steady gains as they raced to three-quarters in 1:24.1 before overwhelming Duly Resolved on the final turn. Chuckthemillionair struck the front at the top of the lane, and he survived the determined charges of place finisher Whiskey Lou (Ridge Warren) and Purple Lord (Jim Pantaleano), who was third, to triumph by a neck in 1:54.2. Sent off at 11-1, he returned $25.20.
Chuckthemillionair has won 10 of his 15 starts since making his debut earlier this year for trainer Joe Fusaro. The son of Lucky Chucky-Win A Million has now earned $70,012. He is owned by breeder Peter Peck in partnership with Harvey Ort Jr. and Bryan Casey.
Warren had a driving triple on the 10-race program. Dave Dewhurst led the trainers with a double.
The next card of live racing at Tioga Downs is set for Sunday, Aug. 24 with a first post time of 1 p.m.
(With files from Tioga Downs)