Columbus, MN – Top trotters were in the spotlight at Running Aces on Sunday (Aug. 17), including the $30,000 Steve Wiseman Memorial Trot final.
The annual August marquee event went to post with a field of six talented square-gaiters, with DP Freedoms Chrome (James Gould) sent off as the 3-5 favorite and All Champy (Mooney Svendsen) sent off as the 9-5 second choice.
DP Freedoms Chrome had some trouble behind the gate and got away fourth from post one while All Champy battled early with Bringoverthemoney (Dean Magee) to take the top and post the opening fraction in :27.3 while Bringoverthemoney yielded for the pocket position and Escaper (Billy Mann) dropped in third.
DP Freedoms Chrome tried a first-over bid down the backside but never looked comfortable and failed to make any impression on the leaders. All Champy set all of the fractions and led comfortably with a two-length cushion while posting solid middle fractions of :56.1 and 1:24.3.
Into the lane All Champy was still going strong while Escaper emerged from third to surge past Bringoverthemoney as they chased All Champy.
Inside the final sixteenth of a mile All Champy began to get rough gaited and then went into a full gallop through the finish wire.
After a lengthy review, All Champy was found to be in violation of the breaking rules and was placed from first to third, promoting Escaper to the winning position and Bringoverthemoney to second.
The personal time for Escaper was 1:55.1 for his ninth win of the season and his sixth local win for owner Terrence Smith and trainer Maria Alvarez for the Williams Hernandez Stable. Escaper ($11.60) is a 4-year-old son of Muscle Hill. He now shows a bankroll of $88,461 this season and $154,381 in career earnings.
Baby Flash (Svendsen, $4.80) charged home impressively in the lane to capture the $12,750 Open II Trot in 1:55.4 over Lexus Markus (Scott Cisco) and Wilamar Spark (Rick Magee) for her third win of the season and her 22nd career win. The 4-year-old daughter of Southwind Flash is owned by trainer Rick Huffman in partnership with Keith Wilson and Brenda Lovetinsky.
Peanutbutterfalcon (Rick Magee, $2.20) went to the front early and gamely held off a big late challenge from Braggen Bliss (Luke Plano) by a head in 1:59.1 in the $21,000 Minnesota-sired sophomore ‘A’ trot. It was the eighth win of the season from nine starts for the talented son of Quality Kemp, who is owned by his breeder Jeri Roland and is trained by Dan Roland.
Werewolfofwysteria (Brandon Jenson, $6.60) prevailed by a neck over Step Machine (James Gould) in the $14,000 sophomore ‘B’ trot in 2:03 for his second career win for owner Larry Jenson and trainer Brady Jenson.
Driver Billy Mann led the program with three wins while Brady Jenson had a driving and training double and drivers Rick Magee and Luke Plano as well as trainers Maria Alvarez and Dan Roland all had doubles.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday night (Aug. 19) with a nine-race program that will get underway at 7 p.m. (CDT).