Oneida Blue Chip dazzles in Mares Open at Running Aces

Columbus, MN — Trainer Kathie Plested had Oneida Blue Chip ($8.60) well prepared for the feature race at Running Aces on Thursday (May 20). The 7-year-old daughter of American Ideal was making her first local start and first start with her new connections in the $11,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace.

Oneida Blue Chip was much the best in the Thursday feature at Running Aces. Dee Leftwich photo.

Driver Lemoyne “Mooney” Svendsen sent her right to the lead from post five in the six horse affair and never looked back through fractions of :27.2 and :57.2 before kicking into high gear with a :55.4 final half-mile to draw away at every call and check in 4-1/2 lengths ahead of her rivals in 1:53.1 for her third win in 12 outings on the season. Race favorite Rockin With Lou (Gerald Longo, 3-5) picked up the pieces for second, while longshot Prom Queen (Dean Magee, 14-1) checked in third.

The winner was a recent purchase for owner Barbara Arnstine.

The Thursday program also featured the 3-year old Open Pace, going for $6,500, with a field of six sophomores facing the starter.

Trainer/driver Nick Roland sent Alilthundadownunda, his gelded son of Malak Uswaad N, straight to the lead from post two as the 5-2 second choice. Even money favorite Ice House (Brady Jenson) enjoyed the pocket trip. SD Watch Me Now (Brian Detgen, 8-1) got away third and was first to tip wide to challenge the leader.

Roland was able to orchestrate a second quarter breather of :30.1 (:28.2, :58.3) for Alilthundadownunda, which may have been the deciding factor in the race. By keeping his horse fully-charged for the final half, they were able to power home in :56.2 to easily turn back all challenges. SD Watch Me Now was 1-1/2 lengths behind at the wire, while Ice House was third best in the 1:55 mile.

It was one of two wins on the night for owners Set The Pace Racing, and it was the sixth career tally for the Minnesota-sired Alilthundadownunda ($7.60), who registered a sharp final quarter of :27.4 for his second consecutive race.

Driver Mooney Svendsen led the Thursday program with three winners, while Nick Roland scored his third driving double in a row and notched a training double at the same time. Driver Luke Plano also picked up a double.

Live racing is offered at Running Aces every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday night, with first post at 6:05 p.m. (CDT).

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