Vel Bitter Chip took a slight drop in class and that proved to be the ticket for the Indiana pacer. Driven by Jim Devaux, the gelding scored a win in 1:59.1 Thursday, Jan. 26 at Monticello Raceway.
Vel Bitter Chip leads the way around the final turn en route to a victory Thursday, Jan. 26 at Monticello Raceway.
Vel Bitter Chip rallied out of the gate from the center of the track seeking the lead over the rain soaked racetrack. He was joined by Hunts Point and Jim Taggart Jr. for the top spot, with Vel Bitter Chip sliding over to the lead at the quarter in :29.4. Hunts Point continued to pursue the lead and took over midway down the backstretch but once he had cleared, Vel Bitter Chip was back out to scoot around and take over again heading into the second turn.
Vel Bitter Chip continued to lead the way to the half in 1:00.0 while Slick Fella and Brandon Parker began to slowly move up on the outside in first over fashion before the three-quarters in 1:29.4. As Slick Fella began to tire, He’s Special and Michael Merton moved three-wide to get into better striking distance for the stretch but could never catch up to Vel Bitter Chip.
In the stretch, Vel Bitter Chip veered out a little and Hunts Point moved up on the inside, but Vel Bitter Chip was strong through the wire, winning by one and one-half lengths over Hunts Point. He’s Special finished third.
Vel Bitter Chip paid $4.50 for the win. The four-year-old gelding is owned by Mo Coo Inc. of New York. The owner’s group has done well with Indiana sired horses at upstate New York tracks in recent years. Matthew Medeiros trains Vel Bitter Chip, who was bred by Funk Racing Stable.
Vel Bitter Chip is a product of the Indiana Sired Fair Circuit under the direction of trainer Larry King. He was a winner three times at two and returned to win four races at three. The Hypnotic Blue Chip son was acquired last fall and moved to New York and eventually landed in the hands of his current connections. The win was his second in his last three starts.
Vel Bitter Chip took a career best time of 1:54.4 at Harrah’s Hoosier Park last year. He now has eight career wins with more than $44,000 in career earnings. He is the first foal from the Pro Bono Best mare Bittersweet Best, who has a mark of 1:52.1 and more than $150,000 in earnings. His younger half brother, Vel Curious George by He’s Gorgeous, made a few starts as a two-year-old last year on the ISFC.