Monticello, NY — Splash Blue Chip won her second consecutive NYSS event of the year with a win in 1:57.1 on Monday (July 26) at Monticello Raceway.

The field of seven was whittled to six after a late post time scratch of Dream Chapter.

Splash Blue Chip scored in 1:57.1. Geri Schwarz photo.

Splash Blue Chip, the 1-5 betting favorite starting from post position five, eased away from the gate to get the lead and had two lengths on the pack as they hit the first stanza in :29.1. The gap was still the same at both the half in :58.2 and the three-quarter pole in 1:27.3.

It looked as though Splash Blue was going to wade to an easy win but her stablemate, Illuminata (Mark MacDonald), who was sitting in the garden spot the entire mile, had other plans and took advantage of the passing lane down the stretch and posed a serious threat. But she made a costly miscue just yards from the finish line and finished second. Finishing third was Titans Hope. Time for the mile was 1:57.1.

Splash Blue Chip, the strapping daughter of E L Titan, was driven to victory by trainer/owner Ake Svanstedt, who shares ownership with Mellby Gard Inc. With the win, her seasonal earnings are now in excess of $95,000. Splash Blue Chip is now tied for first place with Moni For Lindy for overall points in her category.

In Excelsior A action, Izzy Demsky (E L Titan) and Mattias Melander scored in a wire-to-wire win in 2:00 ($3.00). Just Joshing (Andy Miller) scored a start to finish two-length win in 1:58.3 ($3.30). Lovey Belle benefited from a great drive from Jason Bartlett to score in 2:00 ($22.40) over the favorite, Insured Am S.

The lone Excelsior B event saw Runinoutofrsntorun and Jason Bartlett hold off Summer Storm (Jordan Stratton) in 2:03 ($6.50).

In the Fillies and Mares Open Pace, Beauty Is Blind extended her win streak to three, scoring in 1:55.2 for trainer Christopher Petrelli. With the win, Petrelli sits in fourth place at Monticello with 34 winners hailing from his barn.

Blue Chip Farms stallions ruled the afternoon with E L Titan with three winners and Chapter Seven had a pair. Driver Jason Bartlett had two winners on the afternoon.