by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces

Columbus, MN — The Sunday evening (July 1) program at Running Aces featured the $13,000 Open Handicap Pace for horses and geldings, with a deeply talented field of eight squaring off behind the gate.

Dee Leftwich photo

Stevensville paced home gamely in :28 to stop the timer in 1:52.2.

Last week’s winner Firedrake (Nick Roland) charged hard from the gate to an early lead, but was quickly confronted by Hawk’s Red Chief (Dean Magee), with Bestinthebusiness (James Yoder) dropping in third and Stevensville (Rick Magee) floating away in fourth. Hawk’s Red Chief had the call at the :27.1 quarter, but Stevensville got out and rolling just before the three-eighths juncture and quickly paced to the front, to register the half in :56.4.

Besinthebusiness was sent first-over and created the outer flow down the backside, with Bettor’s Promise (Williams Hernandez) second-over and To The Limit (Steve Wiseman) in the third-over position. Stevensville was never headed after taking command, and the outer flow eventually deteriorated, providing racing room for Firedrake as they straightened for home.

Firedrake powered home strong, but was unable to catch Stevensville, as he paced home gamely in :28 to stop the timer in 1:52.2.

Stevensville is a 7-year-old stallion by Somebeachsomewhere out of the Western Hanover mare Wild West Show. He is owned by Jana Lee Rucker and trained by Rick Magee. Sunday’s tally was the third win of the season in 10 starts for the career winner of $526,179.

Also on Sunday night, Running Aces hosted the Minnesota-sired 3-year-old trotters.

The $10,200 class A division went to Bringoverthemoney (Rick Magee) in an ultra-impressive gate-to-wire score by 6-3/4 lengths in a lifetime best 1:57.2 for trainer Brian Detgen and owner Jasmine Horvat. Bringoverthemoney paid $2.80 as the heavy favorite.

The $6,800 class B division went to SB Fine And Dandy (James Yoder) in 1:59, also a new lifetime mark. SB Fine And Dandy is owned by Susan Holm-Johansen and Deborah Hofsaess and is trained by Ulf Holm-Johansen.

Also of note on Sunday, the classy 10-year-old trotting stallion Tamarind (Gerald Longo) picked up his first win of the season in three starts in a $5,600 conditioned event as he stopped the timer in 1:56.3 to record his 62nd lifetime victory and push his career earnings to $935,344. Tamarind ($2.40) is owned by Set The Pace Racing and is trained by Jenni King.

Drivers Dean Magee and James Yoder each completed a hat trick on the night, with Rick Magee turning in a driving double.

The Tuesday evening (July 2) Late Pick-4 wager is guaranteed at $7,500, and the 20-cent Pick-5 wager has a carryover of $1,601.03. Post time on Tuesday is 7 p.m. (CDT).