Minnesota Day of Champions is historic

Columbus, MN — The historic Day of Champions harness racing program at Running Aces is in the books and Twilight Tinker stole the show when she became the first horse to ever win three straight crowns on Saturday (Oct. 3). Stuckey Dote also made history by picking up his fourth career Minnesota title.

There was $540,000 in purse money featured, which became the richest single day of harness racing at this facility and in Minnesota history as well.

Twilight Tinker became the first horse to capture three straight Minnesota championships Dee Leftwich photo.

A capacity crowd wagered the highest on-track total of the season as 100 of the best Minnesota-sired trotters and pacers battled it out on the track in 12 divisional championship races that each carried a purse of $45,000.

Twilight Tinker (Nick Roland, $3.60) completed her historic three-peat in the older trotting mares division, with a 2-1/4 length score in 1:57.3 over Al Mar Reba Babe (Gerald Longo) and Al Mar Bon Bon (Brady Jenson). Owner Cathy Dessert would go on to win another championship later in the card, while Nick Roland picked up a record of five wins on the card on this special day. Trainer Jessica Johnson scored four wins on the day.

It’s A Marcs World (Nick Roland, $2.20) delivered another huge performance to capture the sophomore male pacing championship in 1:55.2 over Bunkerhill Phil (Braxten Boyd) and Nothinbutagoodtime (Darrell Wright). It was three wins in a row and nine wins on the season for It’s A Marcs World.

Stuckey Dote (Darrell Wright, 3.20) delivered as the favorite in the older male pacing championship in 1:54. Stuckey Dote dug in gamely late in the mile, holding off SB Bodacious (Rick Magee) and Marktentwentyseven (Brady Jenson) for his 39th career win. Stuckey Dote has now earned $394,919.

It’s Pacific Time (Rick Magee, $2.10) rolled to her 12th win of the season in 1:54.4 to capture the sophomore filly pacing Championship over Scarlett Ruby (Dean Magee) and Huftalookatdatfany (Mooney Svendsen). Rick Magee would go on to win three on the day.

Rush To The Bank (Nick Roland, $2.20) completed seven wins in a row to capture the freshman male trotting championship in 2:02.2 over Ice Titan (Mooney Svendsen) and Oh Danny Boy (Darrell Wright). The winner is a gelded son of the late Running Aces star trotter Banker Volo.

The other championship winners were:
The Royal Queen (Rick Magee, $4.60) in 2:01.1 in the freshman filly trot for trainer Justin Anfinson.
Lone Star Tap (Brandon Jenson, $44.40) in 1:59.1 in the sophomore male trot, also trained by Brandon Jenson.
Twilight Sunset (Rick Magee, $3.20) in 1:58 in the freshman male pace for trainer Brady Jenson.
Teachmehowtotory (Nick Roland, $7.40) in 1:58 in the freshman filly trot for trainer Jessica Johnson.
Bringoverthemoney (Brady Jenson, $14.80) in 1:59.1 in the older male trot for trainer Katie Horvat.
Bertha Vanation (Nick Roland, $8.20) in 1:56.1 in the older mares pace for trainer Jessica Johnson.
Breeders Glen Sauder and John Hendricks had two winners on the champions day program.

Live facing continues on Sunday (Oct. 4) which will close out the 2020 racing season at Running Aces. Post time is 1 pm CDT and there are nine races on the final day program. Mandatory payouts will be in effect for all wagering pools, including the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot, which will start out the day with a $20,435 carryover.

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