Harrington: Sunfire Blue Chip surprises favorites in Quillen Memorial

Sunfire Blue Chip, the fourth choice in the race at odds of 7-1, was victorious in Monday evening's $150,000 Bobby Quillen Memorial for older male pacers at Harrington Raceway.

Starting from post five in the field of eight, Sunfire Blue Chip rocketed to an early lead, then released favored Rockin Ron (Yannick Gingras) passing the 26 2/5 opening quarter. Rockin Ron would go on to reach the half in 55 seconds, with Somewhere In L A (Jason Bartlett) coming first-up at that point.

Rockin Ron was still in charge at three-quarters, which he put up on the board in 1:23, and with Somewhere In L A spinning his wheels and a third-over Endeavor (Trace Tetrick) making a break after stepping on a wheel in the backstretch, the back-field had little chance to get involved.

MacDonald pulled pocket with Sunfire Blue Chip off the final turn, and he would quickly overhaul Rockin Ron to take control. Scott Rocks (Eric Goodell), who had followed the non-advancing cover from second-over, found his best stride in the lane, but his bid was too late as Sunfire Blue Chip found the wire a length and a quarter to the good in a 1:51 1/5 mile. Evenin Of Pleasure (Joe Bongiorno) sat inside near the back of the pack and came up the passing lane for third, while Rockin Ron faded to fourth.

"He's one of my favorite horses to drive. He's just like driving a big dog," said MacDonald, with a laugh. "He walks around. He's literally like a pet. He goes forward when you ask him, or you can take him back. You can race him any way, and he's a lot of fun to drive."

Jimmy Takter trains Sunfire Blue Chip, an 8-year-old American Ideal stallion, for owners Christina Takter, John And Jim Fielding, Brixton Medical Inc., and R A W Equine Inc. This was Sunfire Blue Chip's 32nd career victory, and he has now earned $1,476,940. He returned $17.20 to win.