Woodbine Mohawk Park: Canadian Pacing Derby final goes to Best Chip

Best Chip and Tim Tetrick made a second move to gain control past the quarter pole and went on to a dominating performance, capturing the Grade 1 C$705,000 Canadian Pacing Derby on Saturday night at Woodbine Mohawk Park in a 1:46 4/5 mile for trainer Joe Bongiorno.

For Once Inmy Life and Jordan Stratton blasted from the gate to take control in the early going before yielding to Prince Hal Hanover at the quarter-pole. Tetrick had taken an early tuck with the 7-2 second choice Best Chip entering the opening turn but moved with the 4-year-old son of Heston Blue Chip once the field hit the quarter in 26 seconds.

Best Chip had control at the half in 53 seconds, but Stratton moved elimination winner For Once Inmy Life without cover past the halfway point, towing Ervin Hanover in the second-over position as Women Layer and Oakwood Ardan IR followed the outer flow as well. Best Chip was able to accelerate and keep his distance from his challenger, though, hitting three-quarters in 1:19 4/5 and gaining separation coming into the homestretch.

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Prince Hal Hanover continued his pursuit along the pylons and For Once Inmy Life hung in bravely through the final quarter but were not gaining. Only Oakwood Ardan IR would be closing late, but he would not threaten the winner. With a final quarter in 27 seconds, Best Chip made good on a supplemental entry for the El Dorado Stable of Fort Myers, Florida, with his eighth win in 14 starts. Prince Hal Hanover finished second, with Oakwood Ardan Ir third and For Once inmy Life settling for fourth.

"I knew the horse could carry it," said Tetrick following the victory. "He paced all the way to the wire."

Best Chip paid $9.10 to win.