Heston Blue Chip named November Horse of the Month
December 5, 2012,by John Pawlak, the U.S. Trotting Association
Columbus, OH — The 3-year-old colt pacing division has been up in the air for much of the year, with different horses seemingly taking turns winning the various major stakes, but Ken Jacobs’ Heston Blue Chip has hit a hot streak at just the right time — when electors are poised to mark their Horse of the Year ballots.
The son of American Ideal has been nearly perfect as of late in some big races, and a sweep of the recent Progress Pace, in the prep and final, has resulted in his being selected Horse of the Month for November by the U.S. Trotting Association.
Heston Blue Chip, trained by likely Trainer of the Year Linda Toscano and driven by Tim Tetrick, ranks only fifth among his peer group in terms of earnings, but late-season victories in October’s $555,000 Breeders Crown and now the Progress Pace likely have won him some votes in the Horse of the Year balloting — the results of which will be announced at noon, eastern on Dec. 19.
“We’re trying to give him a chance to be the 3-year-old of the year,” Jacobs said in an interview before a loss in the Matron Stakes eliminations raced on Nov. 25, which was followed by a win one week later in the final. “He’s the best 3-year-old in the country. I told everybody that and they didn’t believe me. I think he’s proven himself and he deserves a shot at that title. I don’t know that we’ll get it, but that’s beside the point.”
Jacobs’ star will get plenty more chances to impress and improve on his $1,405,658 in career earnings whether he wins year-end honors or not; it has been announced that Heston Blue Chip will be sent south for some R&R this winter and then return to the races at age four.