Columbus, MN – The top-level pacers took center stage at Running Aces on Tuesday night (May 26) and the $15,000 Open handicap feature was packed with fast and exciting action.
When the gate pulled away, driver Nick Roland activated Noblesville from post four and got the first call with last week’s winner Kurt Longjohn (Josiah Miller) also surging fast from post five in hot pursuit of the front.
Those two battled through a quick opening panel in :26.4 with Kurt Longjohn making the top before the three-eighths marker and Cash Money Twenty tracking the leaders from third.
Kurt Longjohn held court through solid middle fractions of :54.3 and 1:22.4 before driver Casey Leonard activated Cash Money Twenty to make his move as they headed toward the top of the stretch.
In just a few strides, Cash Money Twenty swept to the lead and then charged through the lane with authority as Kurt Longjohn was left reeling and Noblesville shook free and rallied late to grab second money in the 1:50 mile, which is the fastest of the season thus far at Running Aces.
The winning margin was 1-3/4 lengths for Cash Money Twenty ($3.60), a 4-year-old son of Stevensville who has been named the Illinois Harness Horse of the Year for the past two seasons.
The talented pacer is owned by Heart & Soul Racing and is trained by Brett Ballinger. It was his first win of the season and his 21st career win and pushed his career earnings to $333,750 while also matching his career best clocking.
Brady Jenson had four training wins and a driving double on the Thursday program while Luke Plano posted both a driving triple and a training double.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday night (May 28) for a 10-race program, which also offers drink specials, food trucks, trout fishing and drawings for free trifecta bets. First post is scheduled for 6 p.m. (CDT).