Columbus, MN – The Sunday night (July 19) harness racing program at Running Aces featured both the $20,000 Dan Patch preview pace and the $16,000 Open Handicap trot.
Muskateer Hanover, who was the 2024 Dan Patch Champion at Running Aces and is the current all-age track record holder at the Minnesota oval, was making his local return in the Dan Patch preview and was sent off as the 4-5 public choice from post 2, while one of the local favorites, Cash Money Twenty also had plenty of support at 9-5 and Alta Revelry N was also respected as the 5-2 third choice on the board.
Alta Revelry N and Luke Plano blasted off the gate from post 4 to grab an early lead while Muskateer Hanover and Brady Jenson also left alertly to briefly drop in the pocket and Cash Money Twenty secured the third position as they headed to the quarter.
Jenson and Muskateer Hanover were not content with the pocket and surged to the lead just before the :27.1 opening quarter, relegating Alta Revelry N to second as they throttled the speed down for a :29 breather during the second stanza.
Muskateer Hanover led comfortably down the backstretch while reeling off a third split of :27.2 and driver Casey Leonard launched Cash Money Twenty into action near the three-quarter pole with Hazardous and Rick Magee tipping from fourth for the cover.
As they swung into the lane Cash Money Twenty was looming large on the outside and in mid-stretch he posted a strong surge to forge past Muskateer Hanover and draw clear for a 1-length score while Alta Revelry N rallied inside late to grab the place spot and Muskateer Hanover was beaten two lengths in third in the 1:50.2 mile.
Cash Money Twenty, who paid $5.80, paced his final quarter in :26.1 and his final half mile in :53.3 for his sixth win of the year and his 26th career tally. The talented 4-year-old son of Stevensville has now earned $378,750 for owner Heart and Soul Racing. He is trained by Brett Ballinger.
BP’s Lucky Star shined brightly in the Open Handicap trot with a 10-1 upset for his second win of the season.
Driver Lemoyne Svendsen guided BP’s Lucky Star away in fourth and sat patiently through the early action, then activated him into a second-over position as the field rounded the far turn.
The classy 6-year-old by For You Almostfree tipped off the cover as they swung for home and charged through the lane with authority to sweep past the leaders and ultimately hold firm against late-closing favorite Fifty Rivers by a half-length in 1:55.
The winner is owned by trainer Rick Huffman in partnership with Brenda Lovetinsky. The win mutuel was $23.
Driver Casey Leonard led the program with three wins while Mooney Svendsen and Brady Jenson both had doubles.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday night (July 21) for a special “Christmas at the Races” program that will benefit Toys 4 Joy of Minnesota. The night will also feature $1 hot dogs, $2 beers, and “Free Bet Frenzy” drawings. First post is set for 7 p.m. (CDT).