Chocolatier tastes victory

Reigning divisional champion Chocolatier won his first race of his 3-year-old season Thursday night at the Meadowlands, overcoming a first-over journey from the halfway point on to cross the wire in a career-best 1:53.2. "He was perfect tonight; couldn’t have been better,” said D.R. Ackerman, the colt’s driver.

Ackerman dropped in fourth with Chocolatier as David Miller sent Capetown Hall to the lead from the outside post seven. Ackerman tipped his charge at the half and ranged up alongside Capetown Hall by the three-quarters. The two raced as a team around the final bend but down the stretch Chocolatier proved too much for his rivals as he drew clear to the 2 1/2-length victory. Capetown Hall held for second over a late-rallying Boardwalk Hall, while Global Glide finished fourth in the race filled with Hambletonian hopefuls.

An eight-time winner in 10 starts last year on his way to Dan Patch Award honors as the best 2-year-old colt trotter in 2005, Chocolatier made a break in his sophomore debut June 10 in his Goodtimes elim at Woodbine. He came back the following week and finished second in the consolation. Returning to the scene of his Breeders Crown victory last November on Thursday night, Chocolatier once again found the winner's circle as he remained unbeaten in three career starts at the Big M.

Bred by Bill Weaver's Valley High Stable, Chocolatier was a $50,000 yearling purchase by Doug and Ada Jean Ackerman's Ackerman Stable. Earlier this year the Ackermans sold interests to Southwind Farm and Lindy Farms of Conn. The son of Credit Winner-Maple Frosting increased his career earnings to $529,500 with his Thursday night victory.

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