Columbus, MN — The Thursday night (June 22) program at Running Aces featured two divisions of the $36,500 Minnesota-sired sophomore pace as well as the first freshman event of the season.

I’m A Skoldier was a 1:54 winner. Kathleen Riley photo.

I’m A Skoldier (Wind Me Up) was the heavy 1-10 favorite in the $22,000 ‘A’ division and drew post seven in the nine horse contest. Driver Mooney Svendsen immediately pushed the gas pedal and sent his charge to the front of the field and executed the give-and-go with King Of Aces (Luke Plano) who also left sharply from post eight.

The race fractions were solid (:28, :57 and 1:25.2) and I’m A Skoldier was always comfortable. He easily led the way while King Of Aces followed intently over Wavzeka and I Turn Heads. In the lane, King Of Aces angled from the pocket but I’m A Skoldier ($2.20) powered away from the field to register his third straight victory with a winning margin of 3-1/2 lengths while stopping the timer in 1:54. King Of Aces held off a nice closing rally by longshot Quite The Flirt while Gotubydashorthairs rounded out the top four.

The winner is owned by his breeder, Van Otterloo Stables, and is trained by Bob Lems.

The same connections doubled-up on the card and completed a sweep of the sophomore pace when Kawabunga ($2.20) held on by a head for a gate-to-wire win in the $14,500 ‘B’ division.

Luke Plano was the winning pilot aboard the son of Wind Me Up who lowered his career mark by more than five seconds with the 1:54.4 victory. Meechee (Brad Irvine) was just a head back and was placed second, while Stevie’s Girl (Svendsen), who was 2-3/4 lengths behind the winner, was promoted to third after Made Of Misschief (Nick Roland) was demoted for causing interference.

The first freshman event of the year also took place on Thursday, with Apple Juice (Todd Warren) prevailing by a neck in a thrilling photo finish with Moonlit Night (Plano) in the $10,500 Open as the fillies took the top two spots.

Apple Juice ($4.00) powered away from post eight to control the affair as Moonlit Night followed in the pocket before impressively coming after the leader late in the lane to just miss. Longshot Dragons R Real Q (Roland) was a game third in the 1:58 mile.

The winner is a daughter of Fancy Schmansy and is trained by owner Scott Banitt, who is also the breeder.

Driver Jacob Cutting led the program with three wins while Luke Plano posted a double.