Columbus, MN — The Sunday night (July 21) program at Running Aces featured two $20,000 elimination heats for the 2024 Dan Patch FFA Pace which produced very exciting contests and resulted in a brand new overall track record.

Tuggin On My Heart (Jacob Cutting) and Aces newcomer Muskateer Hanover (Brady Jenson) were both heavily backed at the windows at 6-5, with the former going off as the slight favorite when the bell rang for the second elimination.

Muskateer Hanover stopped the timer in 1:49.1 to become the fastest horse ever at Running Aces. Nicole Tate photo.

They were the fastest pair off the gate with Tuggin On My Heart and Cutting asserting themselves from post five to take early control while Jenson and Muskateer Hanover secured the pocket and No Lou Zing (Mooney Svendsen) landed in third through an opening panel in :26.4. Tuggin On My Heart was a comfortable leader through the middle fractions of :55 and 1:22.1 and had the field stacked up on the far turn as No Lou Zing offered a first-over attack and Crooked Smile (Todd Warren) followed his cover.

In the homestretch Tuggin On My Heart continued to pace strong but Muskateer Hanover was loaded in the pocket and when Jenson tipped him out into the center of the track he posted a tremendous surge to take the lead and draw clear for a 1-1/4 length victory, stopping the timer in 1:49.1 to become the fastest horse ever at Running Aces. Crooked Smile rallied past No Lou Zing late to pick up third money.

The winner is a 4-year-old gelding by Sweet Lou and out of the Bettor’s Delight mare Marinade Hanover. He was bred by Hanover Shoe Farms and is owned by Mulligan Stables and Calcutta Stable and is trained by Jenson. The track record mile was also a new career mark for Muskateer Hanover ($4.60) who now shows 12 career wins and earnings of $252,403.

The previous track mark of 1:49.2 was recorded in 2023 by both American Dreamer and Crooked Smile.

Mac’s Marvel (Luke Plano) pulled off a 7-1 upset in the first elimination, posting an impressive first-over trip to gun down pacesetter and race favorite He’zzz A Wise Sky in a 1:50.4 clocking.

He’zzz A Wise Sky (Dean Magee) battled with PD The Big Easy (James Kennedy) early before taking control near the fast :26.2 quarter-mile checkpoint and was well settled on the lead as they ripped off a half in a scorching :54.1 while PD The Big Easy rode in the pocket. Mac’s Marvel launched his attack as they headed down the backside and methodically marched up alongside the leaders as they rounded the far turn and recorded 1:22.4 for three panels.

He’zzz A Wise Sky braced for the challenge in the lane and battled gamely but Mac’s Marvel ($16.80) got the upper hand late and edged past to capture victory by a half-length. PD The Big Easy held third and Ynotthishos (Nick Roland) was home in fourth.

The winner is a 5-year-old son of Captaintreacherous, owned by Jose Cervantes and Terrence Smith and trained by Williams Hernandez. He now shows 17 career wins and earnings of $227,964.

Topville Rocknluck, who was the fastest fifth place finisher (1:51.2) will join the top four finishers from each elimination to comprise the field for next Sunday’s (July 28) $50,000 Dan Patch FFA final.

Al-Mar Spicey Talk (Mooney Svendsen, $67.20) pulled off one of the biggest upset wins of the Aces season with a three length tally in the $15,500 Open Handicap Trot.

Traveling in fifth early from post three, Svendsen waited patiently while Susie’s Sister, heavy favorite Domovoy and Winnerup battled for the top through the first three-quarters of a mile. After following cover behind Winnerup, Al-Mar Spicey Talk tipped out near the top of the stretch and quickly surged to the lead and drew clear in the lane to post a career best win in 1:55.1.

The winner is a 7-year-old son of Money Talks, owned by Joshua Horvat and trained by Katie Horvat. He now has 13 career wins with earnings of $135,766.

Brady Jenson led the Sunday program with four driving wins and three training wins while Elson Miller posted a driving and training double.

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday night (July 23) for a special ‘Christmas in July’ night at the races which will benefit Toys For Joy. First post is set for 7 p.m. (CDT).