Stinger Blue Chip wins Diplomat at 95-1; Annieswesterncard takes Berry's Creek Final

There were two big races for 3 year old colts tonight, and many of the pacers eligible for the 2009 Pepsi North America Cup were in action.

The Berry's Creek $230,000 final at The Meadowlands was won by Annieswetserncard in 1.51.1, with Drop Red placing and Arctic Warrior finishing third, both timed at 1.51.2. With the highly touted River Shark (10th) and Vertigo Hanover (6th) both off the board, the Exactor offered $108 while the Triactor paid $1,190.

At Mohawk, I thought it was generous that the morning line offered 15-1 on Stinger Blue Chip (trained by the talented Casie Coleman) but on arriving home from the Star Trek movie I was shocked to see the colt had won at odds of 95 to 1!!! Kicking home in 27.2, Stinger Blue Chip stopped the Teletimer in 1.53 flat, with Artists Rally (second) and Chief Of The Beach clocking 1.53.1. Even with the favourite in second the exactor paid $564 and the triactor brought home $1,943.

It will be interesting to see how Shadow Play performs in his 2009 racing debut tomorrow, where he has drawn the five hole in the Sunday May 10, 2009 eight horse field contesting the 4 Year Old Open. One race at this level and another against Open horses would seem like a perfect prep schedule for the big stakes that lay ahead, where Shadow will meet up with Mister Big, Dali, Bettor Sweet and others.