Columbus, MN – Fifty Rivers posted a dominating performance in the $15,000 Open Handicap trot on Sunday night (June 7) at Running Aces for his second straight win and his seventh tally of the season.
Driver Casey Leonard left aggressively from post 6 with the sharp 4-year-old and took part in an early three-way speed battle with Escaper (driver Rick Magee) and Go Have Fun (Brady Jenson). Escaper had the early lead before Go Have Fun surged to the top at the :27.3 quarter with Fifty Rivers looming outside.
Leonard and Fifty Rivers were settled on the lead as they registered the half mile in :56.2 and Go Have Fun picked up the pocket trip with Escaper now back in third. Down the backstretch Peanutbutterfalcon (Scott Cisco) was launched to the outside from fourth while Fifty Rivers picked up the tempo on the front as they reeled off three panels in 1:25.
Fifty Rivers had a one-length lead at the top of the lane and Escaper tipped out for the drive but Fifty Rivers dug in very impressively to draw clear late and post a 2-1/2-length score over Escaper in 1:53.1. Peanutbutterfalcon rallied past Go Have Fun for the show dough. The mile clocking was the second fastest trotting mile ever at Running Aces.
The winner, a son of Fiftydallarbill, is owned by JMF Racing and is trained by Kathie Plested. He paid $5.40 to win.
Nick Roland steered HM Magical Money to a gate-to-wire upset victory in the $17,500 Minnesota-sired sophomore boys trot in 1:59 for his first win of the season and a new career mark. It was also a career milestone for Roland as it marked his 2,500th trip to victory lane as a driver. Roland, 43, is the all-time leading driver at Running Aces with over 1,200 wins at the Minnesota oval. HM Magical Money, a son of Tom Ridge, held safe by a head over heavy favorite Bang Bang Boogie. The winner is owned by Thomas and Kathy Shipley and Royal Roland and trained by Nick Roland. The gelding paid $18.20 to win.
SV Shining Star (Rick Magee, $2.40) captured the $17,500 filly trot again this week in 1:59 for her fifth career win for owner Jay DeLong and trainer Justin Anfinson. Anitra’s Dance (Cisco) was a solid runner up for the second straight week.
Chicora (Leonard, $2.20) posted her second straight win with a scintillating 5-length romp in the $12,500 Banker Volo series final over Swan Jefe and Isthatevnaquestion. It was the second straight win and third of the season for the 5-year-old daughter of Lear Jetta who is owned and trained by Jenni King.
Fourteen-year-old pacer Armabluechipboy N, a son of Santanna Blue Chip, picked up his third win of the year and his 34th career win in a $5,200 claiming event in a sharp 1:54.2 for owner Michael Arnold and trainer Bob Lems. Leonard was the winning pilot on the career winner of $418,950, who paid $15.40 to win.
Leonard led the program with four wins while Nick Roland had both a driving and training double and both Rick Magee and Justin Anfinson also posted doubles.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday night (June 9) with first post at 7 p.m. (CDT).