Columbus, MN — The Saturday afternoon (Sept. 5) program at Running Aces offered a pair of featured events.

The $11,500 Minnesota-sired sophomore filly pace drew a field of six and was headlined by heavy favorite It’s Pacific Time who was sent off as the 1-9 favorite from post six.

It’s Pacific Time scored in 1:55.2. Dee Leftwich photo.

Driver Rick Magee sent It’s Pacific Time ($2.10) quickly off the gate and surged to an immediate lead, putting two lengths on pocket-sitter Huftalookatdatfany (Nick Roland) as they registered the first quarter in a quick :27.3. Magee orchestrated a middle-half breather of :59.2 before pacing home in :28.2 to widen the margin to 3-3/4 lengths at the wire over Huftalookatdatfany and Scarlett Ruby (Dean Magee) in 1:55.2.

The winning filly is by Its That Time and is trained by Joel Mc Danel for owner John Hendricks. She has now won eight of 11 starts this year.

Heza Real Diamond (Nick Roland) dominated the Open Handicap Pace for horses and geldings for the second straight week, and for three wins in a row, posting a sharp 3-1/4 length score in 1:52.3 for his tenth win in 18 starts this year.

After working hard to get to the front from post seven in a :27 first stanza, Heza Real Diamond ($4.20) was never in doubt once on the lead, and also benefited from a textbook middle-half breather of :58.4 worked out by Roland. Stuckey Dote (Darrell Wright) rallied for second and Prologue (Tim Maier) was home third.

The winner is owned by Orlando Nevarez and trained by Edwin Quevedo.

Drivers Rick Magee and Jacob Cutting dominated the Saturday program with three wins each.

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (Sept. 6) with first post at 1 p.m. (CDT) and will feature a carryover in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager of $4,988.21.