by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces Casino & Racetrack

Columbus, MN —The $12,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace was the featured event on the Tuesday (July 18) program at Running Aces and it would produce a record result, as the 6-year-old mare Magnifique (by Tell All) turned in a stellar performance in 1:52.4 to get up at the wire and return a record $232.20 for every $2 win wager.

Dee Leftwich photo

Magnifique got up at 115-1 odds with owner/trainer/driver Gerald Longo.

Owner/trainer Gerald Longo was in the sulky behind Magnifique, and guided her away from the gate in seventh from post two in the nine-horse contest, then picked up second-over cover and followed that to be fourth by just over a length turning for home. Longo then sent his mare charging between horses to get up at the wire and post a head victory and record the record mutuel payoff. Race favorite Gold Star Mysti (James Yoder) completed a $747.60 exacta, with 16-1 longshot Hare To Eternity (Steve Wiseman) rounding out a trifecta worth $6,246.60.

The $13,000 Minnesota-Sired 2-year-old trotting event went to SB Fine And Dandy ($8.80), a gelding by Claudius Augustus, for owners Susan Holm-Johansen and Deborah Hofsaess. Driver James Yoder sent his charge away in the pocket position and made a swift move just past the three-quarter marker to take command and open up a two length lead. He then was able to hold off a fast closing charge from favorite Bragginade (Nick Roland) to post his first lifetime win in 2:02.2 by a neck at the wire. He is trained by Ulf Holm-Johansen.

The $9,600 Minnesota-Sired 2-year-old pacing event went to the filly Ellamennopee ($17.20) in 1:56.3, for her first lifetime win. She is by Voracious Hanover and is owned by Merlin Van Oterloo and conditioned by Brett Ballinger. Driver Steve Wiseman was aggressive with the filly and sent her to the lead from post seven in the nine-horse field. She then yielded the lead to the race favorite Giggle Monster (Dean Magee) who had made an early miscue. Wiseman tipped the filly out of the pocket turning for home and she sprinted away to score the win by seven open lengths with a final quarter of :28.2.

The $10,000 Open Handicap Trot went to Banker Volo (Luke Plano) who was as good as ever this evening, posting a gate-to wire romp by 5-1/4 lengths in 1:54.4 for his third in a row and his fifth win in seven starts this season for trainer Jenni King and owner Daniel Roland. The all-age track record holder was heavily favored at the windows, returning $2.80.

Driver James (J.D.) Yoder added a grand slam to his impressive seasonal accomplishments at Running Aces when he guided four winners on the program. Steve Wiseman posted his second consecutive triple as well, and Luke Plano picked up a double on the card.

The 20-cent Jackpot Pick-5 carryover now sits at $13,321.19 and will highlight the wagering menu for Saturday (July 22) with first post at 6 p.m. (CDT).