Heston Blue Chip impressive in Cane Pace elimination

The hometown favorite, Heston Blue Chip, continued to do what he does best at Tioga Downs, and that is win races.

He came into the Cane Pace Elimination on Sunday night a perfect six for six at Tioga Downs and he left now seven for seven.

The connections of Heston Blue Chip opted to pay the $35,000 supplemental fee to the Cane Pace as a way to get revenge on some of the top colts in the country after a disappointing fourth place finish in the Meadowlands Pace.

On Sunday night regular pilot Tim Tetrick sat in fourth as Simply Business (Ron Pierce) headed the field by an opening quarter in 26.1. As Pierce hit the brakes on the front end, Tetrick quickly shuffled Heston to the front gaining control of the field by a half in 54.1. Down the backside and headed towards three quarters, Steelhead Hanover (Jim Morrill Jr.) were left first over by three quarters in 1:21.4 as Tetrick as Heston for more. Down the stretch Tetrick and Heston Blue Chip were in total control opening up on the field to win in 1:49.2.

Steelhead Hanover (Jim Morrill Jr.) put in a huge effort and got second, while State Treasurer (Mark MacDonald) finished third. It was the ninth win in 10 seasonal starts for Heston Blue Chip, who just posted his fourth win in a row at Tioga Downs for trainer Linda Toscano.

"He's a really nice horse who goes out every week and can pace in 48 or 49 and he'll be blown out by the time he reaches the paddock," said winning driver Tim Tetrick. "I can't say enough good things about this horse he is such a pleasure to drive, it's like driving a Cadillac out there."

The Cane Pace drew 11 entries with A Rocknroll Dance and Time To Roll accepting byes to the $322,716 final on Monday, September 3^rd. 

The top seven finishers from Sunday night's elimination joining A Rocknroll Dance and Time To Roll in the final will be: Heston Blue Chip, Steelhead Hanover, Bettor's Edge, Simply Business, Dynamic Youth, and Pet Rock.

There were three supplemental entries to this year's Cane Pace including Heston Blue Chip, State Treasurer, and Pet Rock.

In the $40,000 Miss Versatility trotting series, Beatgoeson Hanover (Jim Morrill Jr.) sat last as Cedar Dove (Ron Pierce) cut through fractions of 27, 56.3, and 1:25.1. As the field headed around the final turn Morrill and Beatgoeson Hanover were loaded with trot heading four wide at the top of the stretch to win in 1:54.1. 

It was the fourth win in 14 starts for Beatgoeson Hanover who is trained by Richard Norman for owner Neven Botica. Action-Broadway (Brian Sears) trotted home late for second, while Pembroke Heat Wave (Tim Tetrick) hung on for third after a tough first over trip.

Tioga Downs continues live racing on Saturday, September 1^st with a post time of 6:50 pm, for more information on Tioga Downs please visit us on our website at www.tiogadowns.com.