Adrian Chip wins Hambo prep

Adrian Chip (Andover Hall-My Favorite Chip) passed his final test for the Hambletonian, winning the Ulf Thoresen Memorial at the Jarlsberg track in Norway. He won after taking the lead in first turn, but it was not a walk in the park for the colt, as he was seriously challenged by the Stig H. Johansson-trained 3-year-old Keystone Brady (Lindy Lane-Yankee Bacall), who did not give in until just before the finish line.

 

Adrian Chip was timed in a mile rate of 1:58.2 over 2,100 meters, which is a new track and race record, and lowered by one-fifth of a second the mark set by Scarlet Knight, who then won the Hambletonian in his next starts.

 

Adrian Chip is now trained and driven by Robert Bergh, who also will take the lines at the Meadowlands. The colt is owned by a group that includes NHL hockey star Peter Forsberg.

 

The recent E3-winner, Artistic Ås (Malabar Man), had a perfect trip in the pocket but was not as sharp as expected. He has won his three previous wins from the front end. He ended third.