by Karen Briggs, WEG Media

Campbellville, ON — The favorites came up short in both divisions of the Summertime Pacing Series second leg on Friday night (July 3) at Mohawk, with the spoils going to Stinger Blue Chip and Greystone Cash.

Sent off at 3-1, Stinger Blue Chip was hardly discounted, but last week’s winner Electric Energy was definitely expected to repeat, though he proved not to be much of a factor this time out.

Instead it was Nicholas C Hanover, with Sylvain Filion at the lines, who scurried to the early lead and quickly opened up two lengths over Monkey Off My Back and Jody Jamieson. Jason Brewer positioned Stinger Blue Chip in mid-field through the early fractions, but just before the half he stepped on the throttle and the sophomore gelding responded, surging past Nicholas C Hanover and powering off to a seven length advantage.

Though a :26.2 third panel took some of the starch out of his sails, he had enough oomph left to maintain a 2-1/2 length lead at the wire in 1:52.1, with Money Off My Back coming in second and Nicholas C Hanover third.

Trained by Casie Coleman, Stinger Blue Chip is a son of Art Major who was a $130,000 purchase at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale. Mac Nichol holds the ownership papers. This was the gelding’s first visit to the winner’s circle since he captured the Diplomat final at Mohawk in May.

In the second Summertime split, 6-1 shot Greystone Cash got the trip he missed in the series opener and went on to score by two lengths over Fire On The Water and last week’s opening round winner, and 2-5 favorite, Foolish Justice.

A lathered-up Fire On The Water, in rein to Paul MacDonell, took charge off the gate and led the field through fractions of :27.2, :56.1, and 1:24.2, with Azoreansailor (Rick Zeron) pocket-sitting through the first half. Tony Haughan positioned Greystone Cash in stalking mode mid-field, then unleashed the gelding in the stretch to take command and stop the timer in an identical 1:52.1. Fire On The Water hung on for second and Foolish Justice (Randy Waples) managed third.

Greystone Cash, a 3-year-old son of Million Dollar Cam, is trained by Bruce Goit for owner Patrick Ryan. This was his seventh win in 13 starts this year.

The C$58,000 (est.) final of the Summertime Pacing Series is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, at Mohawk.