Delightfully Wild and Nick Roland steal the show at Running Aces

Columbus, MN — The Tuesday night (Aug. 6) program at Running Aces featured the $16,000 Mares Open Pace, with a nice field of nine top level distaffers squaring off behind the gate.

Delightfully Wild was a slight favorite in the wagering at 5-2, while last week’s winner PV Miracle Mary was sent off at 3-1, and Pull The Shade was well supported at 7-2.

Delightfully Wild with driver Nick Roland held gamely to the wire in the $16,000 feature on Tuesday. Dee Leftwich photo.

Nick Roland sent Delightfully Wild right to the front from post five, flashing her customary early speed and posting a quick opening panel of :27.2, while Brady Jenson put Pull The Shade into play immediately and grabbed the pocket position. PV Miracle Mary (Rick Magee) left for position from post nine and was able to secure the fourth spot early.

Delightfully Wild ($7.20) was able to control the tempo of the race, posting very solid middle fractions of :56 and 1:23.4 to keep her rivals in chase mode. PV Miracle Mary tried hard to get past the leader from first-over, but Delightfully Wild continued to pace strong on the lead, and dug in gamely when confronted late by pocket-sitter Pull The Shade who posted a strong inside charge to the line.

Delightfully Wild hit the wire first by a neck in a very sharp 1:52.2 mile, for her 30th career tally, and her sixth win of the season. Pull The Shade just missed the top prize and PV Miracle Mary checked home in third.

The winner is a 6-year-old daughter of Bettor’s Delight, owned by Richard Morita and David Yamada, and trained by Jessie Pacheco.

A pair of 2-year-old Open events were also featured on Tuesday’s program, with Teachmehowtotory picking up her third career win in five starts in the $10,000 2-year-old Open Trot in 2:01.4 for owner Set The Pace Racing and trainer/driver Nick Roland.

Bunkerhill Phil picked up his sixth win in a row in the $10,000 2-year-old Open Pace in 1:59 with Don Harmon in the bike for owner/trainer Gene Miller.

Driver Nick Roland led the night with three winners, while Don Harmon and Steve Wiseman both picked up driving doubles.

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Saturday (Aug. 10) with first post at 6 p.m. (CDT).

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