from Running Aces

Columbus, MN — A new winner emerged in the weekly $8,000 Open Trot at Running Aces on Sunday night (July 26) as longshots Forceful Gale (Luke Plano), El Azteca (Gerry Longo) and Jailer (Tim Maier) finished one-two-three.

Franky Provolone and Silence Son, who had each captured three of the first six Open Trots this summer season, finished fourth and sixth, creating unexpected large payouts in every pool. The winner paid $35.40, the exacta returned $354.40, the trifecta paid a whopping $2,191.60, and a 10-cent superfecta was worth $159.68.

Forceful Gale sat third until the half-mile marker, brushed to the lead during the third panel, and stepped a :28.4 final quarter-mile to stop the teletimer in 1:57. It was the first 2015 win in Open company for the 6-year-old Strong Gale gelding and his second straight victory following a front-stepping 1:57 win in a conditioned trot at Running Aces last week. Jeff Brewer conditions Forceful Gale for owner Ann Wrobbel.

The best sophomore state-bred trotters also went postward for an $11,000 bounty. The diminutive filly Becky Badger Baby (Nick Roland) ran her seasonal slate to eight wins in ten starts with a convincing 2:00.2 triumph over stablemate Go See Lo Go (Steve Wiseman) and Sweet Nola Kate (Tim Maier). The Rail Splitter filly has won 16 in her career, including a current five race win streak at Running Aces.