by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces

Columbus, MN — The $16,500 3-year-old trotting event for horses sired in Minnesota was one of the featured contests on the Sunday (Aug. 21) night harness racing card at Running Aces. It would see a 12-1 upset winner as the filly Al Mar Bonbon, with Tim Maier in the sulky, posted another win in the division.

Dee Leftwich photo

Al Mar Bonbon takes the featured trotting event at Running Aces.

The pair got away four from post two and launched a sweeping attack just past the half-mile pole, surging to the lead and trotting strong from there. They held off a late rally in the stretch from longshot Abra’s Momentom (Gerald Longo) and part of the favored entry in Bombshell Betty (Jim Marino). She came home third in the 1:59.3 mile.

This was the third win of the season and 12th lifetime for Al Mar Bonbon, who is owned by Cara Hauser and trained by Alexia Kehl. She paid $26.20 at the windows.

The $11,000 Open Handicap Pace for older horses would be another mild upset at 5-1 and a sharp win for Holdingallthecards with Dean Magee. They benefitted from a perfect pocket-trip this evening to rally up the inside and post a 1-3/4 length tally in 1:52.0. It was the fifth win of the season in 11 starts for the talented 7-year-old gelding by Cam’s Card Shark.

He is owned by William and Richard Mc Intyre and trained by David Ginter. He paid $12.00 to his backers.

Another notable performance came from Pa’s Corn Squeezin, a 4-year-old pacing mare who posted a career mile tonight. It was her second lifetime win in a fast 1:56.3 clocking with driver Brian Detgen aboard. She is owned and trained by Dale Lagerquist, and delivered $5.40 for every $2 ticket as the race favorite in the $4,500 conditioned event.

Driver Rick Magee posted his second consecutive driving triple, while Brian Detgen and Tim Maier both scored doubles on the program.

The next card at Running Aces goes postward on Tuesday (Aug. 23) at 7:00 p.m. CDT with a $6,493.62 carryover in race 8.

There is a 50-cent Hi-5 wager, and $5,000 is guaranteed in the 50-cent Pick-4 pool.