from Running Aces

Columbus, MN — Running Aces Harness Park, now in its seventh season, established a new handle record on Sunday night (Aug. 3) when $270,252 was bet on the 11-race program which featured fuller-than-normal fields and highly competitive races.

More than half of the races were decided by a half-length or less and only one winner had more than a two length advantage at the wire. Only two favorites prevailed on the night with win prices ranging from a low of $5.80 to a high of $21.80.

The weekly Sunday feature, a $10,000 Open Pace, was captured by Headsup Yankee in 1:52.3. The 5-year-old Minnesota-sired gelding has made steady progress since joining the Open ranks three weeks ago, finishing third and then second before Sunday’s victory. The son of Relentless Yankee is owned by Ken Stauffer’s Trot-Away Stable and is trained and driven by Nick Roland. He beat Silver Spir (Jason Ryan) and Del Rio Seelster (Lemoyne Svendsen).

The win was one of four on the night for Roland, who also scored with Justthewayitis, Split Ticket and Gift Of Honor.

A Running Aces newcomer, Native’s Revenge, shocked a group of conditioned horses and optional $5,000 claimers with a nine length dominating performance clocked in 1:51.4 for new trainer-driver Steve Wiseman. A recent arrival from Hoosier Park, where the 4-year-old Allamerican Native gelding was no better than fourth in his last six outings, Native’s Revenge went directly to the lead in his initial Minnesota appearance and never looked back, throwing an impressive :54 final half. The winner, who beat Peanuts (Rick Magee) and Peyton’s Troubador (Kim Pluta), is owned by Harold Actkinson.

Leading driver Jason Ryan visited the winner’s circle three times on Sunday, guiding She’s A Foxie Lady, Terror Time and R Gauwitz Hanover to narrow victories.

Only four weeks remain in the Running Aces season with live racing presented each Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday through Aug. 30.