Columbus, MN – Lexus Markus stole the spotlight at Running Aces on Sunday night (Sept. 7) with an impressive late rally to gun down front-running favorite Escaper in the final stride of the $17,000 Open Handicap trot, which was the featured event of the night.
Driver Scott Cisco was content to float away in third position from post four with Lexus Markus while Bringoverthemoney (Dean Magee) and Escaper (Billy Mann) battled for the top.
Escaper made the front and led comfortably through fractions of :27.2, :56.4 and 1:26.2 while Baby Flash (Rick Magee) launched a first-over bid down the backside and Brave By Design (Williams Hernandez) followed her cover.
Escaper was still going strong as they straightened for the wire and looked like a winner but Lexus Markus shook free from fourth at the top of the lane and tipped wide to post an impressive late charge that resulted in a photo finish that showed Lexus Markus ($50.60) had gotten up by a head in the final stride to capture victory in 1:56.1. Ice Breakers K (Luke Plano) also rallied late to nose out Bringoverthemoney for third.
The winner is an 8-year-old son of Amigo Hall and is owned by trainer Nathalie Tremblay as well as Dave Kuri. He now shows four wins on the season and 20 career wins, with total earnings of $238,075.
Peanutbutterfalcon (Rick Magee, $2.40) held gamely for another sharp win in the $17,500 Minnesota-sired sophomore boys trot, fending off a big late challenge from Braggen Bliss (Luke Plano) in 1:57.2 for his eighth straight win and his 10th win of the season from 11 starts. The talented son of Quality Kemp is owned by his breeder Jeralene Roland and is trained by Dan Roland.
It’s Gonna Be Mae (Sean Smithpeters, $3.20) delivered as the favorite to make it two in a row in the $17,500 sophomore filly trot, stopping the timer at 2:00 while 1-3/4 lengths ahead of Quality Kid (Mann) with SHS Miss My Mama (Brady Jenson) rounding out the top three. It was the fourth win of the season for the daughter of Lear Jetta, who is owned and trained by her breeder Alexia Kehl.
Veteran pacer Robbie Burns N, 14, posted his 50th career win and made it three wins in a row in a $5,500 claiming event and pushed his career bankroll to $551,976. The classy son of Live Or Die is owned by Dave Haness and also owned, trained and driven by Luke Plano.
Brady Jenson led the program with four driving wins and a training triple while both Rick Magee and Luke Plano had driving doubles.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday night (Sept. 9) for a nine-race program that will get underway at 7 p.m. (CDT).