Columbus, MN — Minnesota-sired rookie pacers squared off in a trio of featured events on the Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 22) program at Running Aces.

Alilthundadownunda and Nick Roland were up in time to take the Tuesday feature at Running Aces. Dee Leftwich photo.

The $8,625 division for colts and geldings was headlined by 1-5 favorite Twilight Sunset (Rick Magee), who was in search of his fifth consecutive win in as many career starts. The clear second choice in the seven-horse contest was Alilthundadownunda (Nick Roland, 3-1).

Magee and Twilight Sunset fired off the gate from post seven and quickly established the lead over long shot SD Watch Me Now (Brian Detgen) and Marc In The Box (Duane Roland). Alilthundadownunda took back to fourth and sat patiently behind early fractions of :28 and :58.3. Marc In The Box pulled first-up down the backside and applied moderate pressure to the leader before dropping back midway through the last turn, prompting Alilthundadownunda to tip three-wide with plenty of pace as they rounded for home. Twilight Sunset dug in gamely, but was unable to fend off Alilthundadownunda ($8.60), who finished a neck in front in 1:56.3 for his first career win.

The winner, a gelded son of Malak Uswaad N, is owned by Set The Pace Racing LLC and trained by Jessica Johnson.

The $8,625 “A” spilt for fillies went to She’s A Showstopper (Jacob Cutting, $13.40), who scored her third career win in 1:58.2 over Of Great Worth and May Day Maggie. The It’s That Time filly is owned by Van Otterloo Stables and trained by Gordon Graham.

The $5,750 “B” split went to Muffin Top (Braxten Boyd, $3.60), who rallied from off the pace and drew away late to post her first career win by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:59.1 over Tootsie’sonaterror and JK Saving Grace. The daughter of Vlos is owned and trained by her breeder Wendy Haberberg.

Driver Jacob Cutting led the program with two wins, registering his third consecutive driving double.

The Jackpot Pick-5 carryover now stands at $13,809.

Live racing continues at Running Aces through Oct. 4, with action four days a week at 1 p.m. CDT.