Columbus, MN – The Thursday night (Aug. 6) harness racing program at Running Aces featured the Minnesota-sired sophomore pacers going for $35,000 across two divisions as well as the weekly $16,000 Mares Open Handicap pace.
In the $17,500 filly division, Starstruck Fool was the heavy favorite at 4-5 while Sparklinchardonnay had strong support at 8-5 and Hotcheddar Flirt was the clear third choice at 6-1 in the field of eight.
Driver Brady Jenson sent the favorite right to the front from post 6 while longshot Mercy (driven by Justin Van Otterloo) secured the pocket and Hotcheddar Flirt dropped in third during the fast :27 opening quarter.
Starstruck Fool opened up on the lead through the middle stages of the contest with solid fractions of :56 and 1:24.2 with Prone To Wander (Rick Magee) trying a first-over bid down the backside that prompted Luke Plano to tip out Sparklinchardonnay for cover before making a three-wide move around the final turn.
The fractions began to catch up to Starstruck Fool as they straightened for home and while Sparklinchardonnay was gaining with every stride on the outside, driver Mooney Svendsen shook free from a ground-saving trip with Hotcheddar Flirt to surge between horses late and make it a three-way battle to the wire.
Hotcheddar Flirt (by Karpathian Kid) prevailed in the final stride by a neck over Sparklinchardonnay in 1:55 while Starstruck Fool had to settle for third.
The $14.20 winner is owned and trained by Rick Huffman.
Diesel Thunder Boy (by Aracache Hanover) posted a career best 1:53.3 win over favorites Cool Mr Cool and Wild About Me in the $17,500 colts division for his second win of the season for owners Nathalie Tremblay and Dave Kuri. Tremblay is also the winning trainer and was celebrated in the winner’s circle for recently surpassing the $2 million mark in career purse earnings.
Rick Magee was the winning pilot and Diesel Thunder Boy paid $9 on top.
K T Part E (by Cattlewash) rolled to another impressive tally in the Mares Open event for two in a row and her ninth win of the year. She was a 3-length winner over Mother Mary in 1:51.3 while Premier Desirey completed the trifecta.
The $2.80 winner is owned, trained and driven by Brady Jenson.
Rick Magee led the Thursday program with four driving wins while Brady Jenson registered both a driving and training triple.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday night (Aug. 9) for a 10-race program that will feature the $17,500 Steve Wiseman Memorial trot preview as well as “Pepsi Family Night” specials and kids’ activities, trout fishing, food trucks and a special visit from Bundles of Love, a local charity which provides handmade clothing for newborns of families in need.
First post on Sunday is set for 6 p.m. (CDT).