Columbus, MN – The Sunday night (June 15) harness racing program at Running Aces featured the weekly edition of the $14,750 Open Handicap trot, which offered a full field of nine talented square-gaiters lining up behind the gate.
Escaper and driver Billy Mann were slightly favored in the win pool at 5-2 while Warrawee Whisper (Brady Jenson, 5-2) and Iron Sharpens Iron (Rick Magee, 3-1) also saw a lot of support from players.
Escaper charged swiftly from the far outside post to challenge Double A Goldrush (Luke Plano) for early control and landed on top as they passed the quarter in :28.1, forcing Double A Goldrush to accept the pocket position while BP’s Lucky Star and Mooney Svendsen set up shop in third.
Iron Sharpens Iron was out and moving early and started to advance toward the leaders as they completed the half-mile in a moderate :58 seconds while Lexus Markus (Scott Cisco) picked up the cover.
Escaper maintained a solid lead down the backside through a third panel in :29 and Iron Sharpens Iron made a miscue as they headed around the far turn.
It looked like a two-horse affair as Double A Goldrush tightened in behind the leader near the top of the stretch but BP’s Lucky Star ($24.40) quickly emerged from his ground-saving spot and was loaded with trot through the lane, taking the lead with a sixteenth of a mile to go before striding clear for a two-length tally in a seasonal best 1:56 over Escaper and Double A Goldrush.
The winner is a 5-year-old gelding by For You Almostfree and is owned by his trainer Rick Huffman in partnership with Brenda Lovetinsky.
Braggen Bliss (Nick Roland, $13.80) worked out a perfect trip and charged through the passing lane to edge out heavy favorite Peanutbutterfalcon (Rick Magee) in the final stride to capture the $21,000 Minnesota-sired sophomore ‘A’ trot in a career best 1:58.4 mile with SHS Southern Pride (Mann) home in third.
The winner is a gelded son of Braggart and is also trained by Roland for owner Set The Pace Racing.
SV Medwyn’s Boy (Cisco, $19) captured victory in the $14,000 sophomore ‘B’ trot in with an impressive late kick from third to take command late and stop the timer at 2:00.4 while one-length ahead of both Werewolfofwysteria (Jenson) and My Man Mahomes (Roland).
The winner is a gelding by Be The Best and is owned and trained by Jenni King.
Nick Roland led the program with four driving wins, while both Rick Magee and Billy Mann had driving doubles and Maria Alvarez posted a training double.
Live racing returns to Running Aces with a nine-race program Tuesday night (June 17) that will feature a carryover of $7,577.50 in the 20-cent Jackpot Pick-5 wager, which will get underway in race five. First post on Tuesday is 7 p.m. (CDT).