Nitro Chip wins going turf to dirt

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Nitro Chip made a triumphant return to the maintrack on Sunday, winning the A. L. "Red" Irwin impressively from just off the pace under Donnie Meche. Walk This Way was four and a quarter lengths back in second followed by Brandon's Marfa. Favored Canadian Warrior cleared the field early and set the pace for a half mile before giving way in the turn.

Trained by Sam Breaux for Emmitt Pickett, Nitro Chip ($9.00) made amends for a disastrous effort on the turf in his first start of the year on July 18. He stumbled in the early going that day and was eventually pulled up after losing contact with the field. The return to the dirt on Sunday obviously agreed with him as he ran his record to a perfect five for five over fast strips. The victory was the son of Finest Hour's third stakes score and he now has earnings of over $133,000.