Hypnotic Blue Chip scores in CPD elim

Hypnotic Blue Chip rushed by Bigtime Ball in deep stretch to win Saturday night's $50,000 Canadian Pacing Derby (CPD) elimination at Mohawk Racetrack. Driven by Jody Jamieson, the 2-5 favorite Hypnotic Blue Chip crossed the finish line in 1:48.3, earning his connections the right to pick their post for the $780,000 final on Sept. 4.

 

The top seven finishers in the CPD elim earned the right to advance to the rich final, with Shark Gesture, Vintage Master and Won The West receiving a bye. Hypnotic Blue Chip also had a chance to receive a bye, but trainer Kevin McDermott decided to race the 4-year-old horse, and he received dividends with the victory.

 

"We get to pick our post and that's just huge," McDermott said afterward.

 

Finishing third in the elim was Lisagain, followed by Bettor Sweet, Keystone Horatioi, Blueridge Western and Lucky Man as those advancing. Dali and Annieswesterncard do not get a return ticket; Jeremy's Successor was scratched.

 

The win was the sixth of the year in 19 starts for Hypnotic Blue Chip, who earlier this month won in a world-record 1:47.3 at the Meadowlands in the U.S. Pacing Championship. Owned by Fran Azur, Hypnotic Blue Chip's 2010 earnings topped $500,000 with his elim win.

 

"This horse was meant to be a good horse," said Jamieson. "He's been a good horse his whole life. He was just great tonight; I'm just hoping seven days from now he'll be just as good."

 

"He's just an incredible horse," McDermott added. "He gets better every week. I've never had one any faster."

 

Here is the field for the Canadian Pacing Derby final, in post position order:

 

1) Keystone Horatio
2 Hypnotic Blue Chip
3 Blueridge Western
4 Won The West
5 Bigtime Ball
6 Lucky Man
7 Bettor Sweet
8 Shark Gesture
9 Vintage Master
10 Lisagain