A happy ending

In late 2007, the new owners of Godstone Farm in Pine Grove, Pa. began building their stallion roster.  One of the horses they purchased to stand at the facility was Chips are Down, a stakes-winning son of Distorted Humor.

According to the press release that was sent out, Chips are Down was trained during his career by Bob Baffert on behalf of Robert and Beverly Lewis, and won three of 18 starts, earning $171,535. A two-time winner as a juvenile, he finished in front of eventual 2005 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Giacomo in an allowance race at Hollywood Park in November 2004.

As a 3-year-old, Chips Are Down won the $70,250 Bien Bien Stakes at Hollywood Park, defeating future Grade 1 winner Becrux (Ity), among others.  Bred in Kentucky by Charles Nuckols Jr. and sons, Chips Are Down is out of the winning Housebuster mare Tiy Buster. Bob and Beverly Lewis bought him for $450,000 at the 2003 Keeneland September yearling sale.

But the fortunes of the new owners of Godstone Farm soon took a turn for the worse.  After servicing a book of 17 mares in 2008, Chips are Down was placed back into training in 2009, competing on the New Jersey circuit with trainer Linda Simon.  But perhaps the horse's heart was more with the ladies than with running, for his second go-round at the track found him competing, rather unsuccessfully, in lower-level claiming company.

In 2008, I purchased my Malibu Moon mare in foal to Chips are Down, and in 2009 she produced a beautiful chestnut colt we promptly christened "Baby Chips," a name which has since stuck.  I was saddened to learn that Chips are Down was back at the racetrack, and followed his exploits closely.  He made eight starts in 2009, and one start this year, in June at Monmouth Park.  Then he stopped showing up in my "Stable Mail," and I feared the worst.

My prayers that Chips are Down would find himself a loving home were answered when I recently found out that he will be standing at stud again in 2011 - this time at Fran Purdey's Greenfields Farm in Colts Neck, N. J.  The pictures Fran sent to me of Chips depict a horse that is relishing his second retirement, and he will get another chance at a stud career.  Much thanks to Fran, and here's to a very happy ending!

Chips are Down at his new home, Greenfields Farm in Colts Neck, N. J.