Chip Of Evil (Arthur Blue Chip), winner of the inaugural Diamond Classic last year, secured her first Atlantic Sires Stakes (AtSS) victory of the harness racing season on Saturday (Jun. 28) at Northside Downs.
Facing just three sophomore filly rivals, Chip Of Evil, driven by Corey MacPherson, started in third position. She moved out onto the cover on the backstretch. First-over Starship Beauty (Myles Heffernan) battled with pacesetter Windemere Sandy (Marc Campbell) into the final turn, but Chip Of Evil soared past both, winning by three lengths in 1:58.4. Starship Beauty held off the closing Eenymeenyminemoe (Paul Langille) for second.
Trained by Eddy Doucette for Inarush Stable of Kensington, Chip Of Evil is now two-for-four this season. She had a stellar two-year-old campaign, winning multiple stakes events and eight of 10 races, including the Diamond Classic slot race. The sophomore has now earned $92,363.
In the second A-level split, another field of four competed. **Galway Girl** (Shanghai Phil) came first-up from third on the penultimate turn, fought past leader Zendayas Firstlady (Heffernan), and extended her advantage to a length-and-a-half, securing victory in 1:58.1. Fern Hill Indigo (Brody MacPhee) finished second, while Zendayas Firstlady faded to third.
Trained by Brent Campbell, Galway Girl is now two-for-five this year after a winless rookie season. She has won two of 11 lifetime starts, earning $17,698. The filly is owned by Kent Macdonald of Stratford, Bernard Macdonald of Mount Stewart, Jacinta Campbell of Charlottetown, and Brady Doyle of Stratford.
In the B divisions, Bettie White (Arthur Blue Chip) driven by Zach Mullins won in 2:01.3 and Western Lily (Malicious) driven by Myles Heffernan won in 1:59.2.