Columbus, MN – The Sunday night (Aug. 25) program at Running Aces featured top-level trotters in the featured $15,500 Open Handicap.
A six-pack of accomplished square-gaiters lined up for the feature with track record holder Domovoy (Jacob Cutting) held in high regard as the favorite at just over even money.
Cutting wasted no time in getting to the front with Domovoy while Yo Lucky Moni left quickly to secure the pocket and Toccoa Falls trotted away in third through solid opening fractions of :27.4 and :56.
Toccoa Falls’ trainer/driver Williams Hernandez got rolling down the backside and came first-up while Bringoverthemoney (Dean Magee) followed his cover and Majestic J (Elson Miller) tried a three-wide bid around the far turn as they registered three-panels in 1:24.2.
In the homestretch, Domovoy was facing challengers on both sides as Yo Lucki Money surged inside and Toccoa Falls outside. Those three put on a thrilling battle in the final strides of the contest and put the photo finish camera into high gear.
After close examination, the photo image showed that Toccoa Falls had gotten his nose home first, just in front of Domovoy with Yo Lucky Moni finishing third while beaten by just a head in the 1:54 mile.
It was the third win of the season for Toccoa Falls ($18) who is a 7-year-old gelded son of Trixton. He now shows 22 career wins win earnings of $386,146.
The winner is owned by Terrence Smith.
Iron Sharpens Iron (Brad Irvine, $11) posted a sharp closing effort to draw away late and capture the $12,700 Open II Handicap Trot in 1:56.1 for his third win in his last four starts and his 24th career win.
Help Page (Sean Smithpeters) went a huge first-over trip to be second best and longshot Silverhill Volo (James Lackey) got up for third.
The winner is a 4-year-old gelding by Banker Volo and is owned and trained by Dan Roland.
Wherever Rio Goes (Smithpeters, $11.40) posted a career best gate-to-wire effort to win the $9,000 sophomore Open Handicap trot in 1:57.4 over Banker’s Grace and Orlando Hanover.
It was the second career win for the gelded son of Tamarind for owner/trainer and breeder Alexia Kehl.
Smithpeters and Kehl combined for a driver-trainer double, Hernandez also won twice as driver/trainer and Justin Anfinson had a training double on the Sunday program.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday night (Aug. 27) for Invisible Wounds Project night with a nine-race program starting at 7 p.m. (CDT).
There is a work gloves giveaway and sponsored memorial races benefitting the Invisible Wounds Project ,which serves military members and first responders dealing with PTSD and other mental health issues.
The Tuesday program will also offer ‘Dollar Night’ specials, including trout fishing, kid’s activities, food trucks and drawings for free bets.