Columbus, MN — Running Aces presented its signature pacing event of the summer on Sunday (July 23), with a very talented field of eight lining up behind the gate for the 2023 Dan Patch FFA final.

He’zzz A Wise Sky held off Crooked Smile by a head in a thrilling photo-finish in 1:50.1. Kathleen Riley photo.

Crooked Smile (Todd Warren) was sent off as the heavy 3-10 favorite from post five and surged out to an early lead while He’zzz A Wise Sky (Jacob Cutting) left fast from the outside post to challenge for the front, taking over the top spot just past the :26.1 quarter. Second choice No Lou Zing (Kevin Wallis, 5-1) made a miscue around the first turn which also bothered Mac’s Marvel, PD The Big Easy and Shamwow. American Dreamer (Brad Irvine), who also offered early speed from post three, secured a spot in third while Saddle Up (Dean Magee) traveled in fourth.

He’zzz A Wise Sky was a comfortable leader through the middle stages (:54.4 and 1:22.4) of the affair while both American Dreamer and Mac’s Marvel pursued the leader on the outside and Crooked Smile saved ground in the pocket.

American Dreamer was charging hard in the homestretch and Crooked Smile shook free from the pocket with a furious late charge but He’zzz A Wise Sky remained game to the wire, holding off Crooked Smile by a head in a thrilling photo-finish in 1:50.1 while American Dreamer held third and Mac’s Marvel collected fourth money.

The winner is a 6-year-old stallion by Yankee Skyscaper and out of the Four Starzzz Shark mare Gimmeazzzmooch. He was bred by Donald and Joann Filomeno and is owned by Triple Zzz Stable and trained by John Filomeno.

He’zzz A Wise Sky now shows three wins in nine outings this year and has 39 career wins and $583,420 in the bank.

All American N (Muscle Hill) posted a very gutsy performance in the $18,500 Open Trot to capture his first win of the season in 1:54.4. He traveled every step of the mile on the outside and surged at the wire to get up by a nose over heavy favorite Stride The Hill (Wallis) while Rock Party (Dean Magee) posted a big late rally from the back of the pack to grab third over Dylan The Great (Sean Smithpeters).

Brady Jenson was the winning pilot on All American N, who returned $30.40 for every $2 win ticket.

Jenson led the program with four driving wins and three training wins.

BP’s Lucky Star (Dean Magee) captured the $18,250 Minnesota-sired sophomore boys trot (early non-betting race) with an impressive late rally to overcome Iron Sharpens Iron (Luke Plano) and draw away by 2-1/4 lengths in 1:55.1 which lowered his own track record (from 1:55.2 on July 2).

The very sharp son of For You Almostfree now shows seven wins in 25 career starts and has banked $64,463 for owners Brenda Lovetinsky, Penny Lundell and trainer Rick Huffman.

Caronamar (Warren, $16.80) posted a 7-1 upset win in the $18,250 sophomore filly trot with a career best win in 2:00.2, getting home a half-length better than Wisco Tootsie with longshot Sdiwanabaracehorse checking in third. The winner is a daughter of Southwind Cobra and is owned by Jeanne Marquis and Jay De Long and is trained by Justin Anfinson.

Other multi-race winners on the Sunday card included drivers Todd Warren and Dean Magee (three wins), as well as trainer Williams Hernandez (two wins).

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday (July 25) with an 11-race program that will feature a carryover of $6,715.36 in the 50-cent Hi-5 wager (race four). Post time at Running Aces is 7 p.m. (CDT).