by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces

Columbus, MN — The featured race on the Sunday evening (May 27) card at Running Aces was the $11,000 Open Handicap Pace with a very talented field of seven facing the starter.

Firedrake was looking to defend his position as the top pacer on the grounds after his easy win in last week’s Open event. There were new shooters at the party this night looking to take their shot at the top dog. One of the most prominent challengers looked to be Hawk’s Red Chief, fresh off back-to-back fast wins at Northfield Park and now racing out of the Rick Magee barn. Also making seasonal debuts in Minnesota were Pancetta, Bettor In The Bank and Bestinthebusiness. Rounding out the deeply talented field were Lil Orphan Elmer and To The Limit.

Dee Leftwich photo

Hawk’s Red Chief prevailed over longshot To The Limit.

Hawk’s Red Chief (Rick Magee) was fastest from the gate and established a strong lead within the first few steps, despite an early challenge from Bestinthebusiness (James Yoder). After the quick opening panel of :26.3, Bestinthebusiness relented to the pocket and would eventually find himself shuffled back in the stretch. Longshot To The Limit (Steve Wiseman) gave the most chase to the leader, with a strong challenge down the backstretch to take over second, while local favorite Firedrake had been hopelessly blocked-in until the mid-stretch.

Meanwhile Hawk’s Red Chief continued to roll (:55.1 and 1:23.4) and posted a :28.4 final quarter to maintain a one length margin at the wire in 1:52.3. To The Limit at 40-1 held second and Firedrake (Nick Roland) was closing strong in third position.

The win Sunday night made it three in a row for Hawk’s Red Chief, who is owned by Burke Racing, Weaver Bruscemi and Michelle Yanek. This was career victory number 28 for the 7-year-old son of I Scoot Hanover, who has now earned $297,437.

Also on the program, Frenchkissmebaby (Steve Wiseman) converted a pocket trip into a new lifetime mark with her victory in 2:01.2 in the $8,500 Minnesota-sired 3-year-old filly trot. The daughter of Money Talks is owned by Austin Staufer and trained by Brett Ballinger.

The $8,500 geldings split of the 3-year-old trotters went to Bragginade, who was the 2-year-old champion trotter in Minnesota last season. Bragginade (Nick Roland) is by Braggart, and he posted a sharp gate-to-wire tally from post five to take a new lifetime mark in 2:00.4. He is owned by Set The Pace Racing.

Nick Roland led all drivers at Running Aces with four winners on the card, becoming the first driver to achieve a grand slam so far this season. Steve Wiseman and Rick Magee both picked up doubles as well.

The 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot carryover now stands at $910.72 and there is a carryover in the Hi-5 wager of $1,874.00 for race seven on Tuesday night (May 29). First post on Tuesday is 7 p.m. (CDT).