Columbus, MN – The Tuesday night (July 28) harness racing card at Running Aces featured six divisions of Minnesota-sired freshman trotters and pacers as well as an Open Handicap II pace.
Captain Ricky (by Captainryanmichael) stole the show with a very impressive and career best 4-1/4 length romp in the $16,000 colts ‘A’ pacing division. Driver Casey Leonard floated away in fourth early from post eight while Fancy Cruiser (Dean Magee) and Cacheforthedevil (Nick Roland) battled for the front through a scorching :26.4 opening stanza.
Bombi made a big move to the front down the backstretch and Leonard guided Captain Ricky to the outside as they headed for the far turn and rolled up alongside the leaders as they swung for the stretch drive.
In the lane, Captain Ricky kicked into high gear and took the lead with authority, drawing clear with every stride to leave his rivals scrambling for second money. Hammerin Harlan (Scott Cisco) emerged from the pack to grab the place spot while Bombi was forced to settle for third in the 1:54.2 mile.
It was the third career win from five starts for Captain Ricky ($5) for owners Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte and Stephanie Anfinson and trainer Justin Anfinson.
Slipped Onmybeans (also by Captainryanmichael) delivered yet again as the overwhelming public choice and registered her fifth career win from six outings in the $16,000 fillies ‘A’ division, taking a new career mark of 1:54.4 over Illbedajudgeofthat and Lady Gulf.
Dean Magee was the winning pilot for owner/trainer Scott Banitt. The win mutuel was $2.10.
The freshman trot winners included SV Sparklin Silver (by Be The Best) paying $73.20 with driver James Gould in a career best 2:03.3 in the filly division and Wishingiwasfishing (by New Jersey Viking) paying $6 with driver Brandon Jenson in a career best 2:01.1 the colts division.
The class ‘B’ freshman pace went to A A Ron (by Gulf Shores) and driver Luke Plano in a career best 1:54.2 and the ‘C’ division went to Arts Finale (by Art’s Chip) and driver Rick Magee who posted his first career win in 1:57.3.
Speaking Volumes (by Artspeak) went gate-to-wire in the $12,750 Open II Handicap pace in 1:52.4 for his fourth win of the season, holding off stablemate PD The Big Easy and Dandy’s Freedom. Rick Magee drove the $11.40 winner.
Drivers Rick Magee and Luke Plano and trainers Justin Anfinson and Brady Jenson all posted doubles on the program.
Live racing returns to Running Aces for an 11-race program on Thursday night (July 30) with first post scheduled for 6 p.m. (CDT).