Columbus, MN – Top trotters were in the spotlight at Running Aces on Sunday (July 6) and Escaper delivered a big performance to capture the $14,750 feature race and deliver as the betting favorite.
Driver Billy Mann utilized the customary early speed provided by Escaper to prevail in an early tussle with Double A Goldrush (Luke Plano). Escaper was settled on top at the :27.3 quarter mile, with Double A Goldrush relegated to the pocket and Bringoverthemoney (Dean Magee) settling away in the third spot.
Escaper led comfortably through middle fractions in :58.1 and 1:27.1 while BP’s Lucky Star launched a sustained bid from fifth but was never able to draw on even terms with the leader.
As they rounded for home Escaper ($4.60) had more than two lengths on the field and it became clear that the battle would be for the minor awards as Escaper was going to easily post his sixth win of the season.
Escaper checked home a two-length winner in 1:56 while Bringoverthemoney surged late to pick up second money and Dylan The Great (Sean Smithpeters) rallied from well back to snag third from BP’s Lucky Star.
The winner is a 4-year-old son of Muscle Hill. He is owned by Terrence Smith and trained by Maria Alvarez for the Williams Hernandez stable.
Peanutbutterfalcon (Quality Kemp) posted yet another dominating win in the $17,500 Minnesota-sired sophomore colts trot, taking a new career mark in 1:58.4 with Rick Magee in the bike, while Mr Boombastic (Gary Magee) made a solid impression to take second money and Tutti Frutti Rudy (Plano) rounded out the top three.
Peanutbutterfalcon ($2.80) had to work a bit to make the top from post seven, but once on the lead he was never in doubt, checking home with more than three lengths to spare for his fourth win this year and his 11th career tally for owner Jeralene Roland and trainer Dan Roland.
Flora Cash (Quality Kemp) picked up her first career win with a big late rally for driver Brandon Jenson in the $17,500 filly trot. After getting away in fifth, Jenson got her rolling to pick up cover behind an advancing It’s Gonna Be Mae (Smithpeters), and they were in a good striking position as they rounded into the lane.
Flora Cash ($23.60) tipped into the clear in the lane and had plenty of trot, surging strong to the wire to get up over race favorite SHS Southern Pride in 1:59.1 while SHS Miss My Mama (Brady Jenson) was third best.
The winner is owned by Larry Jenson and is trained by Brady Jenson.
Rick Magee posted a driving triple to lead the Sunday program, while both Nick Roland and Brady Jenson had driving doubles. Jenson also had a training triple and Maria Alvarez sent out two winners on the night.
Live racing returns to Running Aces for a nine-race program on Tuesday (July 8) with first post at 7 p.m. (CDT).