Scioto: Atlanta holds off Plunge Blue Chip in Charlie Hill Memorial

Atlanta and driver Yannick Gingras held off a furious rally by Plunge Blue Chip in the late stretch to capture the $220,000 Charlie Hill Memorial on Saturday night at Scioto Downs. Last year's Hambletonian winner regained winning form after four consecutive defeats, scoring in 1:51 4/5 for trainer Ron Burke.

Mission Accepted and Atlanta gave Burke a pair in the Hill field, and both of them left the gate along with Plunge Blue Chip. It was Plunge Blue Chip clearing first into the opening turn, but Mission Accepted had control in the 27 1/5 opening quarter and released Atlanta as the field passed the grandstand the first time.

With Atlanta in control, Guardian Angel AS and driver Tim Tetrick attempted to apply pressure despite being parked from the outset. Atlanta cruised to the half in 56 and three-quarters in 1:24 without much pressure and coming into the homestretch had put away the challenge of Guardian Angel AS. Atlanta began to bear out a bit, and that allowed Mission Accepted to gain some ground, and Plunge Blue Chip, with Ake Svanstedt, was flying up the passing lane but just ran out of racetrack. Mission Accepted finished third, with Guardian Angel AS fading to fourth.

Atlanta scored for the seventh time in 11 starts this season, returning $5.80 for the victory. Crawford Farms, Bradley Grant, and Howard Taylor share ownership of the 4-year-old mare that was supplemented for $10,000 to the Hill.

"I was kind of measuring," said Gingras, "But Ake (Svanstedt with Plunge Blue Chip) was coming pretty fast. I had to race her on the front here, but she's a much better horse following."