Not only did Sunfire Blue Chip ($14.20) duel down double millionaire Mach It So, but he also parried a ferocious late rally from the white-hot Donttellmeagain in Sunday afternoon's (Aug. 26) featured $30,000 Great Northeast event for open pacers at Harrah's Philadelphia.
The eight-year-old American Ideal entire got away cleanly in third behind early pacesetter Check Six (Tony Morgan) and stalked a :26.1 first quarter before watching Mach It So (George Napolitano Jr.) brush from the pocket with a circuit to go before working to clear on approach to race's midpoint in :54.2. Driver Josert Fonseca angled Sunfire Blue Chip first-over up the far side and worked steadily toward Mach It So through a :27.3 third split.
Within half a length a quarter from home, Sunfire Blue Chip inched closer through the far turn and gained equal footing with Mach It So at head-stretch. Meanwhile, Donttellmeagain (Victor Kirby) — a 1:49.1 winner in Great Northeast action a fortnight ago — was building momentum around foes after kicking third-over cover.
Despite having one challenger put away, Sunfire Blue Chip wasn't home free. He held tough to the end of a 1:50 mile, keeping Donttellmeagain a head at bay. Third-place finisher Mach It So proved valiant in defeat, only beaten by half a length.
For Jimmy Takter trainee Sunfire Blue Chip, the Great Northeast win was his 30th career tally and his fifth of the season. Christina Takter, John and Jim Fielding, Brixton Medical and R A W Equine own the millionaire pacer.
No one correctly selected the top five finishers in the afternoon's fifth race, despite 4-5 favourite Penzance Hanover ($3.60, Napolitano) winning the $17,000 conditioned event. As such, the 20-cent Jackpot Hi-5 carryover for Wednesday's (Aug. 29) program increased to $7,146.35. Post time for the first of 14 races on Wednesday is 12:25 p.m. Eastern.
(Harrah's Philadelphia)