Tioga: Plunge Blue Chip strolls in Miss Versatility Series

Plunge Blue Chip scored her first win of 2019 in today's lone $40,000 division of the third leg of the Miss Versatility Series for mare trotters at Tioga Downs, stopping the clock in 1:51 flat.

Starting from post three, Plunge Blue Chip went right to the front for trainer-driver Ake Svanstedt and had a clear lead through fractions of 27, 55 2/5, and 1:22 on her way to a 3 3/4 length victory over stablemate Ice Attraction (Andrew McCarthy). Custom Cantab (David Miller), who won the Joie De Vie at Tioga last Sunday, had to settle for third on this occasion.

"She's had a lot of bad posts this year and no luck, so today but today she had a good post," said Svanstedt. "Maybe it was a little bit too fast (the third quarter), but she's a strong horse, so I was not worried."

Svanstedt also co-owns Plunge Blue Chip, a 4-year-old daughter of Muscle Mass, with breeder Blue Chip Bloodstock Inc. and Tomas Andersson. This was her 18th career win, and she has now put away $1,068,509. Racing as part of a three-horse entry that was sent off at even-money, Plunge Blue Chip paid $4.10 to win.

The Miss Versatility Series has one more preliminary round coming up on September 6 at Tioga, and then the final is on September 19 at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.