Northfield, Ohio—Having to start from the eight-hole, and then being parked-out until after the half didn't deter harness racing driver Marion Chupp from his mission to win the $6500 GLADA trot tonight (Dec.5) at Northfield Park.
Chupp was up behind his own Curlys Son, an 8-year-old RC Royalty gelding, and together they rebuffed any and all challengers en route to a 1:58.2 victory.
Sent off as the soft second choice (7-2) in the 9-horse field Chupp gunned his trotter for the lead but that didn't come easily as Curleys Son was being challenged by Alan, who was driven by Emanuel Miller and that duel went on until the latter made a break.
Jimmy Lupton, who was traveling second-over, then took up the chase with The Next Triumph and both he and Curlys Son raced head-to-head by the three quarters and into the stretch before The Next Triumph faaded. And when he did Eddie Miller was right there with Star Chip but they couldn't get by the leader in the deep stretch and had to settle for second money. The Next Triumph held on for the show dough.
Chupp also owns and trains Curlys Son who paid $8.60 for win.
John Manzi for the Great Lakes Amateur Drivers Association