from Running Aces

Columbus, MN — Da Terror took a step up in class Tuesday night (Sept. 8) at Running Aces and came away with an upset win in the $9,800 Open I Pace, clocked in 1:52.3 over the highly-acclaimed five-eighths-mile oval.

Driver Nick Roland was content to let the diminutive 6-year-old son of Western Terror idle near the rear of the compact field of six early, then launched him into second-over position approaching the half. Forced three-wide around most of the final turn, Da Terror had worked his way up to third by the head of the stretch, then collared heavily-favored Chewy Baca (Travis Bowman) in deep stretch. Outlawdangruswatrs (Gerry Longo) also raced creditably to finish third.

“This horse, despite his smallish stature, tries as hard as any horse I’ve driven,” said Roland, who is vying for the Running Aces dash title with Steve Wiseman with just two nights to go in the 2015 season. Roland owns a 72-70 advantage at present.

Da Terror is owned by Banks Standardbreds and trained by Justin Anfinson. It was the speedy winner’s sixth triumph of the year and increased his career bankroll to $78,221.

Racing resumes Wednesday night (Sept. 9) with a nine-race card at 7 p.m. (CDT). The final program is dubbed Minnesota State Championship Night when more than $200,000 in purses will be up for grabs on an 11-race card on Saturday (Sept. 12) starting at 6 p.m. (CDT).