by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces Casino & Racetrack

Columbus, MN —The $12,000 Open Handicap Trot was the featured event on the Tuesday (Aug. 8) program at Running Aces and it would produce an exciting race.

With three lead changes before the :28.2 quarter, it was clear it was going to be a thrilling event.

Dee Leftwich photo

Becky Badger Baby scored in a lifetime best 1:56.4.

Natural Forces (Joe Casagranda) posted the early fractions before Franky Provolone (Dean Magee) came sweeping by. But then it was race favorite Ideal Jesse (James Yoder) who took his turn on the lead. There would be room for just one more lead change in the mile, as driver Nick Roland had perfectly positioned his charge, Becky Badger Baby ($26.80) right behind Ideal Jesse in the flow, and the 5-year-old mare by Rail Splitter was able to out-kick him to the wire to pick up the impressive win in a lifetime best mile in 1:56.4.

Nick Roland trains the sharp trotter who is no stranger to success at Running Aces, having been Minnesota State champion at both 2 and 3. She is owned by Royal and Barbara Roland and Dale Hein, and she now sports 25 lifetime wins in 57 starts and a career bankroll of $121,212.

The $10,000 Open Handicap Pace for horses and geldings went to Stuckey Dote with Nick Roland in the sulky for trainer Brett Ballinger and owner Merlin Van Oterloo. Stuckey Dote ($16.00) was an early leader before yielding for the pocket and then driving through the inside lane in the stretch to post a career best win in 1:52.3. Stuckey Dote is by Voracious Hanover and now shows 16 wins in 31 starts, with $95,925 in the bank.

The $10,000 Mares Open Pace was another thrilling contest, and it would be Best Of Jenna ($7.80) who would shine brightest of all on this night. Trainer/driver Rick Magee was aggressive with his mare and sent her right to the lead from post six in the seven-horse affair, setting fractions of :27, :55.4 and 1:24.1 before pacing home in :27.4 to hold off a late charge from both Stable Eyes (Luke Plano) and Gold Star Mysti (James Yoder). The winning margin was just a neck, but it was enough for the 5-year-old Jenna’s Beach Boy prodigy to post her fifth win in eight starts this year, scoring in her first start for new owner Daniel Graber in a final time of 1:52 to equal her lifetime mark.

Running Aces hosted a Driver Appreciation Night to benefit two drivers (Tim Maier and Lemoyne “Mooney” Svendsen) that were injured in a racing accident last month, and are currently recovering from that incident. Running Aces management doubled the on-track live handle of the featured ninth race and donated that to the drivers, to be added to the sales of Running Aces hats that will also benefit the drivers.

The 20-cent Jackpot Pick-5 carryover now sits at $29,718.15 and will highlight the wagering menu for Saturday (Aug. 13) with first post at 6 p.m. (CDT).