by Greg Gangle, WEG media

Campbellville, ON — Last season, trainer Ben Baillargeon wasn’t exactly sure what he saw in Odysseus Bluechip, but after a solid start to his sophomore season, the son of Cam’s Card Shark is making Baillargeon a believer.

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Odysseus Bluechip heads into the Summertime final with $44,404 in lifetime earnings.

The 3-year-old gelding began his 2011 season in fine form with a pair of victories and a second place effort from four starts. With a recent second place finish in his C$20,000 Summertime elimination this past Saturday at Mohawk, he was beaten by only a neck in 1:49.4.

Baillargeon believes Odysseus Bluechip’s best days are ahead of him and he hopes he’s right when the three-time winner lines up behind the gate this Saturday (July 9) in the C$60,000 final.

“He only had one win last year from 10 starts, but he was showing final quarters in :26 and change so I was hopeful, but you never know how they will turn out,” Baillargeon commented. “Coming into this season, he’s trained back well and is steadily improving.”

A minor injury in December caused a short delay in Odysseus Bluechip’s 2011 season’s debut.

“One day he was out jogging and he was feeling so good that he was playing around and cut his pastern,” the Rockwood resident said. “It was a minor injury, but we lost roughly six weeks with him.”

Baillargeon also noted that gelding his pupil was a key turning point in the horse’s success.

“Last year he was getting sulky and we decided to geld him after his 2-year-old season was over,” he explained. “I think that’s the biggest reason why he’s improving. He’s stronger now and braver.”

Time will tell, but the veteran conditioner remains optimistic that his bay will continue to advance and possibly race with the Grand Circuit horses this season.

“I sure hope so,” Baillargeon laughed. “I think he’s got the talent to do it. You might hear his name come September or October.
He’s only had four starts this year, which only bodes well later in the year.”

Odysseus Blue Chip will look to continue to make Baillargeon a believer when he contests the Summertime final on July 9 in race three for driver Mario Baillargeon and owner Richard Berthiaume. The winner of $44,404 lifetime will begin from post nine.