Columbus, MN — The top-level Open Handicap pacers were in the spotlight at Running Aces on Tuesday evening (Sept. 5) and the $17,600 featured pace went to post with a talented field of nine competitors.

The two outside horses were fastest off the car, as Caliber (Luke Plano, post eight) and last week’s winner American Dreamer (Todd Warren, post nine) traded turns on the lead while Maui (James Lackey) settled away in third from the inside draw through the opening panel in :27.

Topville Rocknluck recorded a career best win in 1:51.4. Nicole Tate photo.

The top three remained that way through the middle fractions of :55 and 1:22.4 while race favorite Mac’s Marvel (Brady Jenson) began a first-over grind from mid-pack and was joined by Topville Rocknluck (Nick Roland) as they headed for the far turn.

Rounding into the homestretch Mac’s Marvel began to draw on even terms with the leader and Roland tipped Topville Rocknluck wide for the stretch drive and was loaded with pace. Mac’s Marvel forged to a short lead near the wire but Topville Rocknluck was too strong in the final strides and got up by a half-length over Mac’s Marvel to record a career best win in 1:51.4. Caliber just nosed out American Dreamer for third money in a close photo.

Topville Rocknluck (Luck Be Withyou) was dismissed in the win pool at 47-1 and returned a hefty $96.20 for every $2 win ticket. The 4-year-old is owned by Wilson Racing Stable and Ann Calvert, and is trained by Tim Wilson Jr. along with assistant Jenni De Menge. The victory also pushed his career earnings past the $100,000 mark.

DP Freedoms Chrome remained undefeated after another impressive win in the $22,000 Minnesota-sired freshman ‘A’ trot with a track record mile in 1:59.1 by 2-3/4 lengths over Banker’s Quest and Insurrectionist.

Driver James Gould wasted no time in getting the star colt to the front of the affair, taking the lead from Banker’s Quest (Mooney Svendsen) just after the :29.2 quarter before leading comfortably and registering middle fractions of 1:00.1 and 1:30 .1. The son of For You Almostfree turned up the speed for the final quarter (:29) and was never in doubt, coasting home to lower his own track record for freshman trotting colts and delivering as the 1-2 favorite.

The winner is now a perfect 9-for-9 lifetime for owner Aimes Racing and trainer Elvin Zimmerman.

Magnolia Moonlight (Lackey, $3.00) dominated the $14,500 freshman ‘B’ trot event with a 3-1/4 length tally in a career best 2:01.3 over longshot Adira Disa (Jenson) and Magical Zamboni (Plano) for her second career win in four starts for owner/trainer/breeder Jenni King.

Drivers Nick Roland and Brady Jenson led the Tuesday program with two wins each.

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday (Sept. 7) for a nine-race program that will feature a pair of carryovers: $2,544.21 for the 50-cent Early Pick-4 wager starting in race two, and $1,720.89 for the 50-cent Hi-5 in race four. There is also a $3,000 guarantee for the 50-cent Late Pick-4 starting in race six. First post at Running Aces is 7 p.m. (CDT).