Columbus, MN — Iron Sharpens Iron was as sharp as ever on Sunday (May 28) at Running Aces and easily dominated the first Minnesota-sired trotting event of the season. He was sent off as the 1-10 favorite in the $22,000 event.

Iron Sharpens Iron was a 1:57.1 winner. Kathleen Riley photo.

Driver Luke Plano initially floated away in third from post three with the talented son of Banker Volo before tipping to the outside to challenge the early leader Wisco Wild Card (Jacob Cutting) near the quarter pole, while Whata Tettegouche (Dean Magee) got away close and inherited the third position. Iron Sharpens Iron easily took control and was settled on top well before the half-mile checkpoint and the early fractions were moderate (:29.4 and :59).

The leader got plenty of respect and the rest of the field followed his command as he gradually turned up the speed with final quarters in :29.1 and :29 while drawing away near the wire to post a 3-1/2 length tally for his 11th consecutive win and remain perfect through two seasonal starts, both timed in 1:57.1.

Iron Sharpens Iron ($2.20) is owned by his breeder Jeralene Roland, as well as Devon Arp and Alfredo Villarreal, and is trained by Dan Roland. He now shows 13 wins in 14 career starts and has earned $129,430 to date.

Chiplosive (Mooney Svendsen, $15.80) blasted home a winner in the $18,500 Open Trot for his third win of the season and 25th career victory.

Svendsen got away smartly from post three with the 7-year-old son of Expolsive Matter and secured the pocket position while stablemate All American N (Plano) surged to the lead and Body Armor (Nick Roland) got away third.

All American N led the affair with no major pressure, and the race fractions were solid (:27.3, :56.4 and 1:26). Rock Party (Cutting) mounted a first-over attack down the backside but made no impression on the leader and Jack Vernon (Todd Warren) was unable to make a meaningful imprint from a second-over trip while Susie’s Sister (Mel Mullet) had more to offer and surged three-wide from sixth to pose a major danger as they rounded for home.

All American N held a short lead as they straightened in the lane but Susie’s Sister continued to close in and Chiplosive was loaded with trot after a ground-saving journey.

Chiplosive rallied inside and was fastest of all to the wire and registered a one-length tally over Susie’s Sister with All American N checking in a neck further back in third in the 1:55 mile.

The winner is owned by Terrence Smith and is trained by Williams Hernandez and eclipsed the $300,000 mark ($304,717) in career earnings with this victory.

Drivers Luke Plano and Jacob Cutting led the program with two driving wins each, and trainer Edwin Quevedo also posted a double. Driver Mooney Svendsen is now just two wins away from 4,000.

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday (May 30) with first post at 7 p.m. (CDT) and will feature a carryover of $10,949.85 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager, as well as a $3,000 guarantee for the 50-cent Late Pick-4 wager.