Columbus, MN – Running Aces hosted the top-level trotters on Sunday night (Sept. 14) with a field of seven taking on the $17,000 Open Handicap as well as two divisions of the Minnesota-sired sophomore trotters highlighting the program.
Escaper (Billy Mann) was the 7-5 public choice from post seven in the feature while Baby Flash (Brady Jenson) was the 2-1 second choice from post three and All Champy (Mooney Svendsen) started from post six and was the clear third choice at 7-2.
Bringoverthemoney (Dean Magee) surged out quickly from post four to get the first call before Escaper surged from his outside post to sweep up and take command, relegating Bringoverthemoney to the pocket spot while Lexus Markus (Scott Cisco) also left alertly to get away in the third position.
Escaper got loose on the lead and led comfortably throughout, posting fractions of :27.1, :57.3 and 1:26. Baby Flash launched a first-over bid during the middle stages and applied moderate pressure to the leaders with All Champy following the cover from mid-pack.
In the lane Escaper kept on going while All Champy tipped off his cover with a strong surge and Lexus Markus shook free to charge between horses late, but Escaper ($4.80) got home first by a head over All Champy in 1:55.3 with Lexus Markus only beaten a neck in third.
The winner is a 4-year-old gelding by Muscle Hill and out of the Cantab Hall mare Top Expectations. He is owned by Rotiboy4Eva Racing Stable and is trained by Maria Alvarez for the Williams Hernandez Stable. He now shows 11 wins and earnings of $113,586 on the season.
Peanutbutterfalcon (Rick Magee, $2.60) went gate-to-wire in the $17,500 sophomore colts trot for his ninth straight win and his 11th of the season, scoring a one-length tally over Braggen Bliss (Luke Plano) in a new career mark of 1:57.1 while SV Medwyn’s Boy (Cisco) was home in third.
The winner is a gelded son of Quality Kemp and is owned by his breeder Jeralene Roland and is trained by Dan Roland. The victory pushed his seasonal earnings to $103,600.
Quality Kid (Mann, $15.60) pulled a 6-1 upset in the $17,500 filly trot for her third career victory and a new mark of 1:58.3. The daughter of Quality Kemp surged late to post a half-length tally over SHS Southern Pride (Rick Magee) and Flora Cash (Jenson).
The winner is owned by Jay DeLong, Ken Stauffer and Stephanie Anfinson and is trained by Justin Anfinson.
Drivers Rick Magee and Brady Jenson dominated the program with three driving wins each while Billy Mann scored a double and trainers Justin Anfinson and Edwin Quevedo also had doubles.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday night (Sept. 16) to kick off the final week of the 2025 season. Post time on Tuesday is set for 7 p.m. while the final two nights of the season will be Friday and Saturday (Sept. 19 and 20) with post time at 6 p.m. for both nights.