Columbus, MN — Racing fans were treated to a spectacular display of trotting talent on Sunday (July 9) at Running Aces when Winnerup (Credit Winner) powered home to capture the $18,500 Open Handicap by 1-1/4 lengths over Bringoverthemoney while stopping the timer in 1:53.4 to equal the fastest clocking ever for square-gaiters in Minnesota.

The record was originally set by Pridecrest (Angus Hall) in 2018 at age six with the late Steve Wiseman in the bike.

Winnerup stopped the timer in 1:53.4 to equal the fastest clocking ever for square-gaiters in Minnesota. Nicole Tate photo.

Driver Luke Plano sent the 7-year-old Winnerup away from the gate quickly from post one to drop in third while stablemates Chiplosive (Rick Magee) and All American N (Brady Jenson) traded turns on the lead through the early fractions of :28 and :56.3.

Plano then activated Winnerup down the backside and they applied heavy pressure to Chiplosive and took over just past the 1:25.1 three-quarter-mile clocking while Bringoverthemoney advanced to second.

Winnerup ($5.80) was strong in the homestretch and posted a final panel in :28.2 to keep Bringoverthemoney at bay and score the record-tying victory while Body Armor (Nick Roland) closed from the back to pick up third money.

It was the third win of the season and 21st career win for the talented trotter who has now banked $450,609 to date. The winner is owned by Terrence Smith and is trained by the meet’s current leading trainer Williams Hernandez.

Dylan The Great ($5.20) posted a commanding win in an $11,000 conditioned trot to register his sixth win of the season with an impressive 1:54.4 clocking.

Sean Smith-Peters was in the bike for owners Summer Fling Race League and Dave Dobbelmann and trainer Alexia Kehl. They were 5-1/4 lengths better than Mandeville (Roland) and Fox Valley Britzka (Plano). The son of Break The Bank K now shows 18 career wins and earnings of $308,495.

Dobbelmann registered three owner wins on the program while Plano scored a driving triple with Todd Warren and trainers Jose Castillo and Williams Hernandez each posting doubles.

Live racing returns to Running Aces for ‘Dollar Night’ on Tuesday night (July 11) with a 10-race program. This Tuesday is also ‘Christmas at The Races’ night, which will feature Santa and Mrs. Claus at the track, a frosted cookie giveaway, and family activities. The evening is also a charity night which benefits Toy’s For Joy, which is a local 501-c3 organization which helps bring joy to those families that are in need of help during the holidays. Patrons who bring an un-wrapped toy to Running Aces for donation will receive a free live racing program. The specials and family activities start at 6 p.m. and the first race gets underway at 7 p.m. (CDT).