Columbus, MN — The 2018 Harness Racing Horse of The Year in Minnesota was back in action on Saturday night (Aug 17) at Running Aces. 

Burning Blaze was razor-sharp on Saturday (Aug 17) at Running Aces, posting a career-best win in 1:53.2. Dee Leftwich Photo

Burning Blaze headlined the field in the $16,000 Minnesota-Sired three-year-old Pace, taking on a field of six other rivals, and starting from post seven on the gate. Driver Steve Wiseman sent the gelded son of Wind Me Up away quickly, clearing the front from a fast-starting Sweet Vivian (Mooney Svendsen) with a moderate first quarter clocking of :28.1 while A Little Rusty (Dean Magee) settled away in third. 

Wiseman orchestrated a well-rated mile for Burning Blaze, who carried the field through fractions of :57 and 1:26 with no pressure whatsoever, and had plenty in reserve for the stretch drive, peeling off a 27.2 closing stanza to keep everybody chasing him home, including pocket-sitter Sweet Vivian, who was not able to make up ground on the leader, despite her own :27.2 final kick. A Little Rusty was able to hold down the show spot. 

Burning Blaze ($5.60) has now registered three wins in eleven outings in 2019, with seasonal earnings of $31,970. His career numbers are impressive, 10 wins, 3 seconds and 5 thirds from 20 starts, with a bankroll of $85,220 for owners Alan & Cheryl Sandbulte and Edward Gutin. The winning trainer is Justin Anfinson. 

Brady Jenson led all drivers on the program with two wins, including a one-two sweep of Race 5, a $6,800 conditioned pace in which he drove his trainee Selma O’Brien ($16.60) to her second consecutive score in a career-best 1:54.4 with his other trained entry Nurse Nattie (Tim Maier) getting second. The Jenson-trained Exacta paid a healthy $125.60 to Lucky winners and loyal Jenson fans. 

Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (Aug 18) with local post time at 6:00 p.m.