Columbus, MN — The featured race on the Sunday night (May 22) card at Running Aces was the $16,500 Open Handicap Trot and it drew a full and talented field of nine contestants.

Mind Yown Business, with Dean Magee in the bike and starting from post four, was bet down as the 4-5 choice after a very impressive second place outing in the top trot a week ago. The duo of Mandeville and driver Luke Plano started from post five as the clear 2-1 second choice and they were looking to improve upon a solid third in last week’s contest, while All American N (Williams Hernandez), despite his stellar local record over the past two seasons, was one of the longest shots on the board at 44-1.

Mandeville and driver Luke Plano got up in time in the featured trot at Running Aces. Dee Leftwich photo.

It was All American N who was fastest off the gate from post seven and easily took control of the affair, while Mind Yown Business dropped in the pocket and Star Track Hanover (Tony Kerwood) got away in third as All American N posted opening fractions of :27.2 and :57.2 with no early pressure.

Mandeville got rolling shortly after the half-mile juncture and was looming large as they headed past three-quarters in 1:26.4, while Pridecrest (Mooney Svendsen) and Rush To The Bank (Nick Roland) were also moving on the outside.

As the field straightened for the finish, Mind Yown Business found room in the passing lane while Mandeville surged on the outside of All American N in a thrilling three-way battle to the wire.

When the dust settled it was Mandeville who had a neck in front for the 1:56.1 victory over Mind Yown Business and All American N, with Pridecrest and Rush To The Bank not far behind to complete the Hi-5 numbers.

Mandeville ($6.60) is owned and trained by Gerald Longo, and he now has eight wins in 12 seasonal starts, 48 lifetime wins and earnings of $376,804.

There were two $9,700 divisions of the 3-year-old Open Trot. The opener saw Need More Cowbell ($3.40) post a game three-quarter length victory over front-runner CR Promise To You (Rick Magee) in 2:00.2 with Triggered (Svendsen) a close third.

The victory was the second in a row for the Banker Volo gelding for trainer/driver Dan Roland and owners Jeralene Roland, Vickie Rush, and Kara Morales.

The second division went to Vickie’s Vacation (Nick Roland, $22.40), who posted a half-length tally over stablemate and last year’s freshman filly state champion Scroll On By (Tony Kerwood). Both fillies are by Banker Volo and both are trained by Dan Roland. The winner is also owned by Jeralene Roland and Vickie Rush. Heavy favorite Romantic Warrior (Gary Rath) was a close third in the 2:00.4 mile.

Also on the Sunday card, Silverhill Volo (James Lackey, $16.80) picked up his fourth win of the season and 34th career tally when he kept a head in front of a fast closing Bordogna (Rick Magee) at the wire in 1:57.4 in a $12,000 conditioned trot. Bringoverthemoney (Svendsen) was a close third in that contest.

Luke Plano led the program with three driving wins and trainer Dan Roland posted a double.

The first round of the Linkjack Hanover pacing series, along with the weekly $16,500 Open Handicap Pace, will highlight the Tuesday (May 24) card at Running Aces, which will also feature a pair of carryovers. The 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot currently has $4,235.30 in the pot, while the 50-cent Hi-5 has a carryover of $1,460.83 for race seven. First post is at 7 p.m. (CDT).