Columbus, MN – The top trotters were in the spotlight at Running Aces on Sunday night (Aug. 30) for the $17,000 Open Handicap, which offered a very accomplished and talented field of seven contenders.
Peanutbutterfalcon, the 2025 Minnesota Horse of the Year, was sent off as the 2-1 slight favorite after an impressive win last week while Fifty Rivers and Inferno Dk were both heavily supported at 5-2 each in the win pool.
Peanutbutterfalcon and driver Scott Cisco left the gate fastest of all and had early command while Inferno Dk left quickly from his outside position and Rick Magee and Iron Sharpens Iron got away smoothly toward the inside to secure the third spot as Fifty Rivers made a costly mistake at the start.
Brady Jenson was in hot pursuit of the front with Inferno Dk and swept past Peanutbutterfalcon near the :28.2 quarter, and once on top Jenson throttled down the speed a bit (:29.2) to post an opening half mile in :57.4.
DP Freedoms Chrome (driven by Dean Magee), the 2024 Minnesota Horse of the Year, launched a strong first-over bid down the backstretch and quickly drew on terms with Inferno Dk as they headed into the far turn while All Champy (Luke Plano) advanced with cover during the solid :28 third panel.
DP Freedoms Chrome led for a few strides near the top of the lane but lost steam as they swung for home. Inferno Dk dug in gamely but now faced challenges from both the pocket-sitter Peanutbutterfalcon and Iron Sharpens Iron, who shook free and tipped widest of all through the stretch and was loaded with trot.
Iron Sharpens Iron surged strong to the wire to grab a career-best 1:54.4 victory by a half-length over Inferno Dk, who was a neck better than Peanutbutterfalcon on the line.
The winner was also a former Minnesota Horse of the Year (2022) and is a 6-year-old by the late great Running Aces star Banker Volo. He now shows 33 wins and earnings of $381,053 for owner/trainer Dan Roland and breeder Jeri Roland. He paid $39.20 to win.
Brady Jenson led the program with four driving wins while Luke Plano posted a driving triple and Jenson and Dan Roland each posted training doubles.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday night (Sept. 1) for a nine-race program that will get underway at 7 p.m. (CDT).