Columbus, MN –  The Sunday night (July 16) harness racing program at Running Aces will feature two $22,500 elimination divisions of the 2023 Dan Patch FFA Pace as part of an 11-race program.

Crooked Smile is the 6-5 morning line favorite in the first of two Dan Patch FFA paces Sunday at Running Aces. Tim Wilson Jr. Photo.

The first elimination split goes in race six and kicks off a 50-cent Pick-3 wager with Crooked Smile (Todd Warren) installed as the 6-5 morning line choice and No Lou Zing (Kevin Wallis) given plenty of respect as the 7-5 second choice. Both of these horses are making their Aces debut in this event.

Crooked Smile is a 6-year-old son of Panther Hanover, who won his last outing in a lifetime best 1:49.1 with :25.3 final quarter at Hoosier Park, and races for the Tim Wilson, Jr. stable.

No Lou Zing (Sweet Lou) just completed a very successful campaign at Oak Grove posting four wins there, including scores in his last two. Jenni King is the local conditioner for the 6-year-old gelding.

Completing the field are Saddle Up (Dean Magee, 6-1), Caliber (Luke Plano, 8-1), two-time state champion and 2021 Minnesota Horse of the Year Alilthundadownunda (Nick Roland, 10-1), and last year’s Dan Patch champion A Major Omen (Gerald Longo, 15-1).

The second division goes in race seven and starts the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot, which has a carryover of $26,729.18.

Current all-age pacing track record holder He’zzz A Wise Sky has been tapped as the 7-5 morning line pick in the second split with driver Jacob Cutting. The 6-year-old stallion by Yankee Skyscaper has two wins from seven starts this year, including the 1:50 local record mile on June 6 for trainer John Filomeno. His most recent effort was a fifth-place finish by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:48.1 at Hoosier after cutting the mile.

American Dreamer (American Ideal) has been given a 5-2 chance off the strength of three local wins in six starts including a 1:50.1 track record on June 13. Todd Warren drives for trainer Tim Wilson, Jr.

Mac’s Marvel (Captaintreacherous), who has twice re-written records here at Aces this meet, is listed at 3-1 with driver Luke Plano. The 4-year-old has two local wins and six total wins this season for trainer Williams Hernandez.

Completing the field are Shamwow (Rick Magee, 6-1), His Beats Hanover (Nick Roland, 8-1) and PD The Big Easy (Kevin Wallis, 8-1).

In addition to the Dan Patch Elims, the program also includes a very nice nine-horse field for the weekly $18,500 Open Trot in race eight, which kicks off the $5,000 guaranteed Late Pick-4.

First Post at Running Aces is 7 p.m. (CDT).