Columbus, MN — The Tuesday evening (Aug. 13) program at Running Aces was highlighted by 2-year-old action, including the $11,500 featured event for Minnesota-sired colt and gelding pacers.

Bunkerhill Phil (Don Harmon) was the even money race favorite from an assigned post eight, coming into the event with six wins in a row in seven career starts. Alright Frankie (Rick Magee) drew post five and was looking to extend his own winning streak to three for trainer Justin Anfinson and was also heavily supported in the wagering at 7-5.

Alright Frankie posted a final half of :58 to get home 1-1/4 lengths ahead at the wire in 1:57.4. Dee Leftwich photo.

Alright Frankie was fastest from the gate and quickly established command, with The Dak Attack (Brady Jenson) getting away in the pocket and Get My Good Side (Steve Wiseman) floating away in third through sensible early fractions of :28.4 and :59.4, while Bunkerhill Phil launched a first-over bid just past the half-mile.

Alright Frankie continued to pace strong, and faced no pressure, as Bunkerhill Phil failed to become a major threat. Alright Frankie ($4.80) posted a final half of :58 to get home 1-1/4 lengths ahead at the wire in 1:57.4 over Get My Good Side and The Dak Attack.

The winner is a gelded son of In Over My Head, out of the Towner’s Big Guy mare Shantytown Girl, and is owned by the partnership of Austin De Long, Kaitlin De Long, Jesse De Long and Thomas Carey. The impressive freshman pacer has now won four of eight lifetime races with four seconds and earnings of $27,403.

Catchmeinadream ($9.60, Steve Wiseman) was a sharp looking winner in the $11,500 2-year-old filly pace with a 3-1/4 length score in 2:01.1 over the good track, to register her first lifetime win for owners Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte and trainer Justin Anfinson.

The Minnesota-sired 2-year-old trotting event had three divisions, with Go Margeaux (Don Harmon) taking the filly $4,600 “B” division in 2:05.4 over a sloppy surface and Susie’s Sister ($3.40, Don Harmon) taking the $6,900 “A” division for fillies in 2:01.3. The $11,500 2-year-old colt and gelding trot went to Hearduwhispermynam ($3.60, Steve Wiseman) with a sharp closing effort from the back of the pack to score his second lifetime win, with a 2:00.4 mile.

Rick Magee led the Tuesday program with four winners, while Don Harmon, Dean Magee and Steve Wiseman all turned in doubles on the night.

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Saturday (Aug. 17) and offers a pair of carryovers: $1,810.64 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot, and $1,877.26 in the 50-cent Hi-5. First post on Saturday is 6 p.m. (CDT).