Columbus, MN — Trotters were in the spotlight at Running Aces on Sunday (July 25) with three Open events carded for the square-gaiters on the eight-race program.

Bordogna posted a dominating win in the Aces feature on Sunday. Dee Leftwich photo.

The $12,000 Open Handicap is the regular Sunday feature and this week’s edition went to post with a compact but talented field of five. All American N (Luke Plano) was the heavy public choice in the contest and was looking for three in a row and he left to try for the lead from post five, but lost all chance with a miscue in the opening eighth of a mile which left him well behind the field.

Hearduwhispermynam (Nick Roland) was away fast from the inside post and Bordogna (Rick Magee) was also away sharply to emerge with the lead and take control of the contest. Hearduwhispermynam followed in the pocket and Pridecrest (Mooney Svendsen) sat in third.

After posting favorable fractions in the opening half-mile of :28.2 and :58.4, it was apparent that it was going to be tough to catch the leader as he trotted strong and opened up a three length margin down the backstretch. Bordogna ($22.80) posted a :56.3 final half to keep his rivals in chase mode, and he coasted under the wire with a 2-1/2 length margin over Hearduwhispermynam, with a further length back to Pridecrest in the 1:55.2 mile.

It was the fourth winning trip this season, and 24th career victory, for the 5-year-old stallion by Trixton, who is owned by Cathy Dessert and Ken Stauffer, and is trained by Justin Anfinson.

The $9,300 Open II Handicap Trot went to Bringoverthemoney (Mooney Svendsen), who got away third from post four, and then came first-up on the outside to grind to the lead near the top of the stretch. Once on the lead, he held gamely to the wire for a half-length victory over SD Eliminator (Brian Detgen) in a career best 1:55.4 mile.

It was the second win in six starts this season, and 23rd career tally, for Bringoverthemoney ($8.80), who is owned by Joshua Horvat and trained by Katie Horvat.

The 3-year-old Open Trot went to The Royal Queen (Rick Magee, $2.40) who delivered as the big favorite in the $7,100 affair. Magee worked out a perfect pocket trip behind Hide Your Banker (Luke Plano) and emerged in the lane with plenty of trot to go after the front-runner. Those two battled to the wire and The Royal Queen was able to get up for a half-length score in 1:59.2 for a new lifetime mark.

The winner is a daughter of Tom Ridge and is owned and trained by Justin Anfinson.

Rick Magee led the Sunday program with a driving hat trick, while Mooney Svendsen posted a double. Justin Anfinson also posted a training double on the card.

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday (July 27) with first post at 6:05 p.m. (CDT) and will feature a carryover of $9,395.23 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager.