by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces Casino & Racetrack

Columbus, MN — The featured event of the Sunday night (July 30) card at Running Aces was the $11,000 Horses and Geldings Open Handicap Pace and it was loaded with a field of eight talented contenders. None in the field had ever displayed more talent or heart than the race headliner and favorite Roland N Rock, who reminded any doubters of exactly who is king of the Running Aces pacing department.

Dee Leftwich photo

Roland N Rock was a 1:51.3 winner on Sunday.

Roland N Rock ($3.60) floated away in sixth from post seven with Luke Plano up and got rolling first-over well before the half, sweeping quickly to the lead just at the midway point in the affair. Shortly after settling on top, the outer flow of horses came raging on the outside, and SF Donttellonme (Joe Casagranda) swept right by Roland N Rock for the lead, opening up almost four full lengths around the final turn.

Roland N Rock was down but not out. As they straightened away for home Roland N Rock decided it was his race and nobody was beating him this night. He stepped on the gas one more time and accelerated right past SF Donttellonme to score his 11th win in 23 starts this year, and his 49th lifetime win, by one length in a sparkling 1:51.3 with a final quarter in :27.3.

The local superstar pacer and 5-year-old gelded son of Rocknroll Hanover has now earned $489,857 for owners Duane and Connie Roland, and Duane Roland does the training while the horse is home. He is expected to be heading back to his winter stomping grounds at Yonkers Raceway in a few months.

The $13,000 Minnesota-Sired 3-year-old trot went to Liquor’skwikker, who posted a career mile with a gutsy first-over grinding win in 2:01.3 with James (J.D.) Yoder in the sulky for owners Ulf and Susan Holm-Johansen; they are also the breeders of this gelding by Matchstick Man. This victory was the first win of the season for Liquor’skwikker, who had five wins as a 2-year-old last season and was a state champion 2-year-old gelding.

Driver James (J.D.) Yoder completed a hat trick on the Sunday card and Dean Magee and Luke Plano both picked up driving doubles as well.

Live racing returns on Tuesday night (Aug. 2) with a first post of 7 p.m. (CDT) and a carryover in the 20-cent Jackpot Pick-5 wager of $21,817.41.