Columbus, MN – Dandy’s Freedom posted the fastest mile of the night at Running Aces on Tuesday (July 21) with a 1:51.3 tally by three lengths in one of the co-featured $12,750 Open Handicap II pacing events.
Sent off as the overwhelming 1-20 favorite in the second division of the top class of the night, Dandy’s Freedom left alertly for trainer/driver Casey Leonard and released the early lead to PD The Big Easy and driver Dean Magee through the solid opening quarter in :27.1, with Gandalf (Nick Roland) dropping in third.
PD The Big Easy continued to lead comfortably through the middle stages in :55.4 and 1:23.4 with Dandy’s Freedom keeping close tabs in the pocket, while Spiritofanoutlaw started a first-over bid and No Lou Zing chased the cover.
PD The Big Easy had a short lead as they straightened for the finish but Dandy’s Freedom emerged from the pocket and was full of pace in the final sixteenth of the mile to draw clear impressively, with PD The Big Easy holding second against a fast-closing Tankalicious.
The winner is a 4-year-old gelding by World Of Rocknroll and now shows six wins this season and 13 career wins for owners Terry Leonard, Dandy Farms, Peter Kouchis and FT Racing Stable. The win mutuel was $2.20.
Speaking Volumes and driver Rick Magee held gamely to win by a neck over Handsome Harvey and Luke Plano in a thrilling finish in the other Open II division with Flickadawrist (Leonard) posting a big late rally for the third spot in the 1:52.3 mile.
Speaking Volumes is a 6-year-old gelding by Artspeak who now shows three wins in 2026 for owner A Piece Of The Action and trainer Brady Jenson. He was the heavy favorite and returned $2.80.
Brady Jenson posted a training double on the program.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday night (July 23) for a 10-race program that will get underway at 6 p.m. (CDT).