Columbus, MN – The Open Handicap trot was among the featured events at Running Aces on Tuesday night (Aug. 4) with a very nice field of seven square-gaiters lining up for battle in the $16,000 contest.
Fifty Rivers was the apple of the betting public’s eye as the even money choice and drew post six while Escaper was given a 3-1 chance from post seven and Peanutbutterfalcon, who started from the two hole, showed a 4-1 chance according to punters.
Driver Casey Leonard was intent on being near the top with Fifty Rivers and left aggressively for position, taking the early lead while Lexus Markus and Dean Magee were also quick off the mark and Escaper with Rick Magee also surged from the outside post toward the front.
Escaper took control just before the quarter flashed up in :27.3 and Fifty Rivers accepted the pocket trip while Lexus Markus and Peanutbutterfalcon traveled in third and fourth positions, respectively. Escaper stole a :29.3 breather in the second panel while All Champy and Like Plano got rolling from the back of the pack to come first-over, providing cover flow for Go Have Fun (Brady Jenson) down the backstretch.
Escaper still held court around the far turn as they posted three-panels in 1:26.1 with Fifty Rivers snug in the pocket and All Champy grinding outside of the leaders.
In the lane ,All Champy forged to a narrow lead and Fifty Rivers surged into the passing lane to make it three across the track in a thrilling battle to the wire.
Fifty Rivers prevailed in the final strides for a half-length tally while All Champy nosed out Escaper for second money in the 1:55.3 mile.
The winner is a 4-year-old by Fiftydallarbill who now shows nine wins and earnings of $127,470 this season for owner J M F Racing. Trainer Kathie Plested sent out the top two finishers. The win tickets paid $4.
Dandy’s Freedom (by World Of Rocknroll) surged late for his seventh win of the season in the $12,750 Open II Handicap Pace in 1:52.4 over Handsome Sir and Tankalicious. Casey Leonard trains and drives the $3.40 winner.
Slipped Onmybeans (by Captainryanmichael) made it four straight wins in the Minnesota-sired freshman filly ‘A’ pace with a new career mark in 1:54.1 over Illbedajudgeofthat and Lady Gulf. Dean Magee drove the $2.10 winner for Scott Banitt.
Captain Ricky (also by Captainryanmichael) picked up his fourth career win in the colts ‘A’ pace with a one-length tally over Bombi and Cacheforthedevil in 1:55.4 with Leonard in the bike for trainer Justin Anfinson. He was the heavy chalk as well, paying $2.60.
Spiceitupwithoil (by Big Oil) posted a 39-1 upset in the freshman trot with a big late rally to get up by a neck over Turbo Tinker with Wishingiwasfishing home third in a 2:01.3 mile. Luke Plano drove the $80.20 winner for trainer Anfinson.
The other freshman winners included The Steel Cage ($3.20) in the ‘B’ pace in 1:57.3 with Scott Cisco in the bike and Alfie’s Adoration ($4.60) in the ‘C’ pace in 1:58.3 under rein to Mooney Svendsen.
Casey Leonard led the program with four driving wins and Justin Anfinson posted a training triple.
Scott Cisco’s victory was career driving win number 1,000.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday night (Aug. 6) for a 10-race program that will get underway at 6 p.m. (CDT).