by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces

Columbus, MN — The featured event on the Sunday (Aug. 26) program at Running Aces was the $20,000 Minnesota-sired or owned Preferred/Open Trot with a talented field of eight.

Pridecrest was the talk of the toteboard and did not disappoint his backers, turning in a gutsy performance. The 6-year-old Angus Hall stallion floated away from his assigned outside post with early speed but there were several others who wanted the front.

Whatevershesgot (Tim Maier) had the early lead but Tamarind (Ryan Anderson) quickly swept by and was immediately confronted by Silverlode (Lemoyne Svendsen) who took a short stint on the front before Pridecrest made his way to the leading position near the half-mile.

After establishing command, Pridecrest (Steve Wiseman) settled in and took full control and was never in doubt, drawing away in the final stages to post a 4-3/4 length tally in 1:54.3.

Pridecrest ($3.20) is owned by Christopher Schick and trained by Kathleen Plested.

The $9,000 3-year-old Open Trot went to SB Fine And Dandy (Tim Maier) who pulled the upset with a sweeping stretch rally to pass the leaders and get up by a head over favorites Dance Hall Bouncer (JD Yoder) and Bringoverthemoney (Rick Magee) in 1:58.1. The victory for SB Fine And Dandy ($21.20) was win number three on the season for the gelding by Claudius Augustus, owned by Susan Holm-Johansen and Deborah Hofsaess and trained by Ulf Holm-Johansen.

MR Ranger (JD Yoder) delivered another very impressive performance in a $6,600 conditioned pace with a front-running victory in 1:51.4 for a new lifetime mark and four wins in a row. MR Ranger ($3.20) is a 4-year-old gelding by Palone Ranger, owned by Brett Boyd Racing and trained by Gene Miller.

Prodigal (Rick Magee) turned in a career best victory in the $9,000 upper-conditioned level pace with a patient drive and a sweeping move through the inside to get to the wire first by a length in 1:51.2 over favorite Holdingallthecards (Brian Detgen). Prodigal ($26.40) is a 7-year-old gelding by Four Starzz Shark and is owned and trained by Mark Anderson.

Live racing continues three nights per week, with post times at 7 p.m. (CDT) on Tuesdays, and 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot carryover is currently at $26,012.29.