A $57K yearling purchase, 14-year-old Chip Dot Com has made nothing but money through 16 different ownership changes, four of them lodged by the current connections who insist on claiming him back
each time he’s been haltered away. Yet, 80 wins, $662,753 and 14 years later, in his final months of racing, this trotting warrior can still get one more for the chipper.
Story by Norm Borg / Photographed by James Park
“DOESN’T HE LOOK GREAT?!” beams owner/trainer Matt McDonald as he leads Chip Dot Com to the paddock on a bright, colourful autumn day. Photographer James Park is busy clicking away as I joke. “That would make a good stallion photo.” Co-owner Randy Pitt chuckles with a tinge of regret in his voice and quietly replies, “Too bad he’s a gelding!”
Their trotter exhibits a calm swagger as he tilts his shapely head upwards, exuding what some bloodstock sport aficionados refer to as “Breed Pride”; the look you see in the myriad of stallion advertisements that occupy the trade publications each breeding season. The camera now clicks away with a frenzy.
Indeed, with his resume, it’s arguable that “Chip” might have made a valuable progenitor. The son of Delaware sire Pine Chip, he has been imbued with conformation and a constitution that’s kept him sound and steady throughout his career. Out of B Cor Peatra (by Balanced Image), he is the leading money earner from a line of impressive siblings such as Celebrity Sweedie ($431,959) and Tall Cotton ($325,880). Notable “Uncles and Aunts” on the dam’s side include five, six-figure earners led by the remarkable B Cor Pete ($893,076)
But McDonald and Pitt, a pair of self described “fools”, have a fondness for their trotter that grows irrespective of his gender status-or lack thereof. “He’s the first winning horse I ever owned,” says Pitt, who first tasted victory as an owner on October 22, 2009 when Chip Dot Com won a $6,500 claiming event at Rideau Carleton Raceway. “I guess you never forget your first,” jokes Pitt. Four wins and six starts later, the durable gelding would be claimed away, but only for a mere two races. During that absence the love affair, particularly between Pitt and his trotter grew fonder. “I asked Matt’s dad Gary, who co-owned him at the time, if he would get him back. He decided to let Matt be the co-owner this time.” And so this father to son Christmas present launched round one of the claiming game that Pitt and the younger McDonald were not prepared to lose. Three claim-backs later, Chip Dot Com remains their prized possession.
To what lengths have the two gone to make sure their Chip comes back home after each claim? Consider this: in his last victory at Kawartha Downs, the trotter’s 80th, Pitt drove three hours to the track in his RV. “The Party Bus” as he calls it, would have served as a temporary home if a claim necessitated the need to travel to the scene of his next race. That way, Pitt says, he’d be right there, ready to to claim him right back. McDonald adds, “There aren’t two bigger fools than us when it comes to making sure he gets back home.”
Randy Pitt collects souvenirs of his trotter’s milestone victories the way a romantic saves old ticket stubs and dried roses. “I have his shoes from his 75th win,” he swells. “And when his career is over I plan to keep his test barn ticket, which is filled right up thanks to all his wins.”
They watch as Chip majestically trots around the paddock, a benevolent field marshall amongst the rest of the pack, as he exerts his authority. “Class. He’s just all class!” exclaims McDonald.
A gentleman with fellow beasts and man, I wondered how he got the reputation of being mean. “That’s only on race days,” says Matt. “He’s such a professional, he knows when the game’s on and he doesn’t fool around.” That includes bucking in the jog cart when first taken to the track to warm up.
Once settled, Chip Dot Com is all business with a patented explosive finish that has been the catalyst of his success. According to his trainer, “If he’s behind by eight (lengths) at the three-quarters, he can win by two as long as he stays close.” Obviously ‘close’ is a relative term when you’re Chip Dot Com.
These lovestruck owners give much of the credit to driver John MacDonald, one of Rideau’s leading reinsmen, who has piloted Chip Dot Com to many of his wins while under their stewardship. “Johnny gets along with him so well. They just click together,” says McDonald.
Back in the shedrow at Rideau Carleton, Chip extends his head over the stall door and rubs it against my hand, beckoning me to scratch. The instant connection is heartwarming and makes it easy to understand the depth of affection these two “fools” have for their horse. “SO?” I ask. “What’s retirement going to be like for the Chipper?” Pitt is quick to reply. “I’ve got four miniature horses at the farm in Shawville (Quebec). They’ll need someone to look after them and Chip’s the man. I might jog him up and down the hilly roads we’ve got on the property -- just for fun. I might even get him trained under saddle.”
Whether under saddle, in harness or roaming the 75 acres of his picturesque new home near the Quebec/Ontario border, Chip Dot Com is a living example of the bond that has existed between man and horse for centuries; the depths of which no person or government can ever destroy. In the midst of all the uncertainty in our business, it’s nice to know that’s one ‘chip’ you can take to the bank.