Columbus, MN – The featured event on Sunday night (June 28) at Running Aces was the $35,000 Ron Banks Memorial final, a free-for-all (late closer) for fillies and mares, with a field of seven very talented pacing distaffers. And the contest did not disappoint fans, providing gate-to-wire action and a shiny new track record.
When the gate pulled away, Wish I Had Thyme (driven by Nick Roland) got the first call but Premier Desirey (Rick Magee) was hot on her heels and surged to the top to register the opening panel in a snappy :26.4 while Brady Jenson activated K T Part E to make an early move toward the front from third and Teelatini (Luke Plano) tracked inside in fourth.
K T Part E cleared to the front just before the three-eighths mark and was well settled on the lead as they posted a :54.3 opening half mile. The leader did not get much of a respite before Teelatini was sent into action with a strong first-over bid down the backstretch and she drew on even terms with K T Part E as they headed into the far turn, while Miss Fancy Nancy (Josiah Miller) followed the cover and Premier Desirey was still snug in the pocket at the 1:22.2 three-quarters.
K T Part E was still fending off Teelatini when they swung for home and she dug in impressively with a strong surge as they entered the final sixteenth of the mile. Premier Desirey shook free from the pocket and tried to take her shot at K T Part E, but there was no catching her on this night and she went on to post an impressive 1-1/2-length tally in 1:50.1 to become the fastest pacing mare ever at Running Aces. Premier Desirey was home second and Teelatini was a very game third in the record mile.
The previous record for pacing mares was 1:50.4 set by Mother Mary in 2025.
K T Part E, who paid $3.20 to win, is a 4-year-old daughter of Cattlewash. She is also owned and trained by Jenson, and she now shows 16 wins from 32 career starts with earnings of $116,528.
All Champy (Nick Roland, $32.80) rallied from the back of the pack to win the $16,000 Open Handicap trot in 1:55.1 for his first win of the season and his 52nd career win. The 12-year-old son of Explosive Matter has now earned $720,186. He is owned by Stephen Chambers and is trained by Kathie Plested.
Chapolier (Plano) was second and Fifty Rivers (Casey Leonard) finished third.
SV Shining Star ($2.80) delivered another big performance as the big favorite in the $17,500 Minnesota-sired sophomore filly trot in a career best 1:57.4 over Anitra’s Dance and Model Good Looks. Rick Magee drove the daughter of Be The Best for trainer Justin Anfinson.
Bang Bang Boogie ($2.60), a son of New Jersey Viking, lived up to the hype in the $17,500 sophomore male division, turning in a career best 1:57 tally over My Little Maverick and Wisco Money Heist, also with Magee in the bike for trainer Anfinson.
Roland, Magee and Anfinson all had doubles on the program.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday night (June 30) for “Dollar Night” with $1 hot dogs, $2 beers and other $1 specials. There are eight races on tap, with a first post of 7 p.m. (CDT).