Columbus, MN – Running Aces was forced to cancel the remainder of the Thursday night (June 4) program after the sixth race in the best interest of safety for racing participants when dangerous lightning moved into the area and was forecast to remain in the area for an extended period of time.
Casey Leonard and Dean Magee both drove two winners on the abbreviated program and trainer Justin Anfinson also sent out two winners.
Letitia (Leonard, $6) captured the $17,000 Minnesota-sired sophomore filly pace in a career best 1:55 for owner/trainer Ed Snyder, getting home 1-3/4 lengths ahead of heavy favorite Starstruck Fool (Scott Cisco) with longshot Hot Cheddar Flirt (Mooney Svendsen) home in third. The winner is by Three Of Clubs.
Cool Mr Cool (Leonard, $2.80) was very impressive in the $17,000 sophomore colts ‘A’ division, posting a 5-1/4 length tally in a career best 1:53.1 for owners Kyle Larner, Jay de Long, and Terry Knothe and trainer Justin Anfinson.
Bright Path (Nick Roland, $3.80) surged late to capture victory in the $8,500 sophomore class ‘B’ pace in 1:57.4 for a new lifetime mark and his third career win for owner Cathy Dessert and trainer Justin Anfinson.
Fox Valley Groupie (Dean Magee, $2.60) delivered as the heavy favorite in the second leg of the Burning Blaze Pacing series in 1:53.3 to advance to a perfect four-for-four in 2026 for owners Hart Walker and Jim Ballinger and trainer Brett Ballinger.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (June 7) for a 10-race program that will get underway at 6 p.m. (CDT).