by Ellen Harvey, Harness Racing Communications

East Rutherford, NJ — Hypnotic Blue Chip and Jody Jamieson pulled a shocker on the 1-5 Shark Gesture to win the $182,500 first division of the U.S. Pacing Championship for open class pacers on Saturday afternoon (August 7) at the Meadowlands in the time of 1:47.2, a world record for a 4-year-old horse on a mile track.

USTA/Mark Hall photo

Hypnotic Blue Chip and Jody Jamieson won the $182,500 first division of the U.S. Pacing Championship in the time of 1:47.2, a world record for a 4-year-old horse on a mile track.

The field was led to the :25.4 first quarter by Annieswesterncard (Ron Pierce), but was quickly overtaken by Shark Gesture and George Brennan at the three-eighths-mile marker. Those two held the lead to the :53.3 half.

As the field was turning to the three-quarters, Jody Jamieson had the 11-1 Hypnotic Blue Chip out and with the call of “caught him by surprise” by announcer Ken Warkentin, was pacing to challenge and then pass Shark Gesture. Brennan and Shark Gesture gave futile chase down the stretch, but held for second, two lengths behind the winner, with Oliver Cleo (Tim Tetrick) third.

“You know, I talked to Kevin (trainer McDermott) pre-race, I got him in a terrible spot last week and got him beat, but when you get to the last turn at the Meadowlands and have a chance to beat them, that’s the time. Kevin had him so awesome. I’m so pumped for Kevin, he’s done a great job with this colt,” said Jody Jamieson.

Asked if he might have caught Shark Gesture off guard, Jamieson said, “With :53 to the half, I don’t know if anyone’s caught off guard. They’re going all they can go. Hypnotic just got a good trip and got towed in to it.”

Hypnotic Blue Chip was a $325,000 purchase over the winter for owner Fran Azur; he’s trained by Kevin McDermott, who had a scare with the horse yesterday.

“Yesterday I was jogging him and he got scared by a scooter and dumped me out of the jog cart. I held on to the lines and he drug me about 25 feet. I didn’t let go of the lines and here we are in the winner’s circle today. We have the Haughton here next week and I just want to thank Fran Azur, the greatest owner that ever lived. Thank you so much.”

USTA/Mark Hall photo

WonThe West captured the $185,000 second division of the U.S. Pacing Championship.

Strollin Stable, William Robinson and Jim Koehler’s Won The West swept past the speed in the lane and captured the $185,000 second division of the U.S. Pacing Championship. The mile was timed in 1:48.1.

David Miller kept Won The West in reserve while Jeremy’s Successor (Brian Sears), Bettor Sweet (John Campbell) and Corky Baran (Mike Lachance) scrimmaged through fractions of :25.4, :52.4 and 1:20.3. On the final turn, Bettor Sweet made a stout move and towed the heavily favored Vintage Master (Daniel Dube).

David Miller was third-over with Won The West, but moved right past the leaders in the straight. Blueridge Western (Yannick Gingras) was second and Vintage Master was third at the wire.

“I let Danny (Dube, driving Vintage Master) get around me and I was third-over before he (Won The West) kicked in,” said Miller. “I thought he would race good. He’s a good horse who shows up every time, and he’s a horse I appreciate.”

“We pointed him for these races,” trainer Ron Burke said. “He’s as good as he’s ever been, and is closing the gap on Shark Gesture. But Shark Gesture is still the king until we can catch him.”

Won The West won for the fourth time in 10 starts this year, and pushed his career earnings past the $2.55 million mark. The Fair Winds Farm-bred son of Western Hanover–Gabrielle, by Dragon’s Lair has 30 career wins in 80 life starts.

— John Pawlak also contributed to this report