by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces Casino & Racetrack
Columbus, MN — The $12,000 Open Handicap Pacing event for horses and geldings headlined the card on Sunday (Sept. 10) at Running Aces, with a full field of nine tough contenders squaring off for a good battle.
At the word “go” it was Lodi Machette Man with Dean Magee in the bike leaving fastest of all and taking the early command, posting :27.4 and :56.4 for the opening half-mile, before facing a strong challenge from eventual winner Bestinthebusiness ($9.00) with James Yoder in the sulky.
Bestinthebusiness surged from third to the front, clearing at the entry to the far turn, leaving Ragin’s Flight (Steve Wiseman) uncovered and attacking first-over at the 1:24.3 check-in, with Firedrake (Nick Roland) advancing second-over from the back of the pack, and SF Donttellonme (Rick Magee) improving as well, from third-over in the flow.
Once the talented field straightened away, Bestinthebusiness began to dig in, pacing away sharply to post a two length score, with a :27.4 final kick and a time of 1:52.2 over SF Donttellonme and Firedrake who were right together.
Bestinthebusiness is a 9-year-old Michigan-bred gelding by Another Mile. He is owned by his breeder Brett Boyd Racing, and trained by Gene Miller. The impressive pacer has now won 39 lifetime races, with 97 top-three finishes in 138 starts, and $376,920 in the bank.
Also featured on Sunday was the $13,000 Minnesota-Sired 2-year-old trot, and the filly It’s Stormin Money would deliver as the race favorite ($5.20) with leading driver Steve Wiseman in the sulky for trainer Brady Jenson and owner Bryce Jenson. The mile in 2:01 was a new lifetime mark, and fourth lifetime victory for the daughter of Money Talks, who looked sensational on the track and posted her second win in the last three starts by 5-3/4 lengths. Al Mar Foxyeclipse (Dean Magee) was home in second, with Al Mar Money Glide picking up third.
Driver James (J.D.) Yoder posted an impressive sweep of the final four races on Sunday night to complete his first grand slam at Running Aces. The talented 23-year-old has proven himself to be an up-and-coming young driver with great potential. He has had 13 nights of multiple driving wins here this season, and the four wins Sunday evening have now advanced him from fifth to fourth on the leading drivers list in his first season here at Running Aces.
Steve Wiseman picked up a driving double on the program as well.
Live racing continues at Running Aces with two more nights to conclude the 2017 season: Tuesday (Sept. 12), post time 7 p.m. (CDT) and Saturday (Sept. 16), post time 6 p.m. (CDT).