by Darin Gagne, Running Aces track announcer

Columbus, MN — The $12,000 Open Handicap Pace for horses and geldings was the featured event on the Sunday night (Aug. 14) harness racing program at Running Aces and the ultra-sharp 5-year-old gelding Dry Ice (by Badlands Hanover) posted another impressive win at the top level, with a 1:51.4 score, charging home first from the pocket trip.

Dee Leftwich photo

Dry Ice was a winner in 1:51.4 in the $12,000 Open Handicap Pace.

The Steve Wiseman trainee was sent out sharply from post seven by Wiseman and the duo quickly secured the pocket behind Headsup Yankee (Nick Roland) who also fired from post six. Roland controlled the fractions with his 19-1 longshot, posting up :27.1, :56 and 1:23.3 before Dry Ice launched his attack from the pocket, pacing by the leader to register a 2-1/4 length tally in 1:51.4, a new lifetime mark. Headsup Yankee and Roland held second, while Officernagentelman (Tim Maier) checked in third.

It was the 19th lifetime win for Dry Ice ($4.20) and padded his career bankroll to $125,625 for his owners, A Piece of The Action, LLC.

Dakota Jack and Firedrake once again squared-off in another ding dong battle this night, and after trading blows throughout, Dakota Jack would just out-kick Firedrake to the wire in 1:55.2 this evening, with a half-ength tally, delivering as the favorite and paying a $2.80 mutuel. Dakota Jack picked up his sixth win in 10 starts this year, with trainer Steve Wiseman aboard.

Viva La Voracious (by Voracious Hanover) picked up her second impressive win in a row Sunday in a $4,500 conditioned pacing event for trainer Brady Jensen and driver Jim Marino. She posted a one length score in 1:57.3, establishing a new lifetime mark with her third lifetime win for owner Nancy Jenson. She paid $7.80 at the windows.

Driver Steve Wiseman had another huge night at Running Aces with a grand slam on the program, boosting his win total to 63 for the Running Aces season, despite having missed almost two weeks at the beginning of the meet due to a back injury. Wiseman has had another terrific summer here in Minnesota.

Running Aces is now racing four nights a week with live racing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7 p.m. (CDT) and Saturdays and Sundays offer a 6 p.m. starting time. The 50-cent late Pick-4 wager on Tuesday night is guaranteed at $5,000.