by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces

Columbus, MN — Running Aces Casino & Racetrack closed out the 2016 live harness racing season on Saturday night (Sept. 3), with The Night of Champions program, and the night – complete with a huge crowd – was a perfect end to the most successful season in the nine-year-history of the track.

One of the most impressive performances of the evening was that of WhatitdoBabyBoo (Rick Magee), who picked up her sixth straight win, and seventh win in nine starts this season by taking the $25,000 Minnesota-sired 2-year-old pacing filly championship with a three-length score in 2:02 for the Van Oterloo Stables and trainer David Flinn. She paid just $2.60 as the crowd’s heavy choice in the wagering

Dee Leftwich photo

WhatitdoBabyBoo wins her sixth consecutive race at Running Aces in their Night of Champions.

In the 3-year-old colt and gelding trot, Abra’s Momentum (Gerald Longo) got all of his ducks in a row on the perfect night to post the best mile of his career,. He took his first lifetime pari-mutuel win with in the $25,000 championship in a 1:59.2 mark for owner Debra Davis and trainer Richard Davis. He paid $29.20 as the longest priced winner of the night.

Whatevershesgot (Gerald Longo) posted an impressive gate-to-wire score in the $25,000 3-year-old filly trot in a career best mile of 1:59.2. It was her 11th lifetime win for owner/trainer Jenni King and she paid $7.60 at the windows.

Silent Dreams won in 2:04.1 in the $25,000 (non-betting) 2-year-old filly trot with Dean Magee in the binke for trainer Brett Ballinger and owners Glen and Jody Wilson.

Liquor’sKwikker went gate-to-wire in the $25,000 (non-betting) 2-year-old colts and geldings trot in 2:05.3 for his third lifetime win for wwners Ulf and Susan Holm-Johansen.

Goody Two Socks (Rick Magee) parlayed a pocket trip into a championship in the $12,500 4-year-olds and up horses and geldings pace in 1:53.4 ($5.80) for trainer Alexia Kehl and owner Seppo Hakamaa. Flick A Fly picked up her 23rd lifetime tally (1:56.0) in the $12,500 mares pace for 4-year-olds and up also with Rick Magee aboard for the Van Oterloo Stables and trainer David Flinn, paying a $3.80 mutuel.

Stuckey Dote (Jim Marino) continued his late season dominance at Running Aces by taking the $25,000 3-year-old geldings pace in 1:55.0 for owner/trainer Merlin Van Oterloo. It was the 12th lifetime win for the son of Voracious Hanover, and he paid $3.00 as the favorite.

Cruzin Coco (Nick Roland) picked up her 12th lifetime win by capturing the $25,000 3-year-old Fflly pace in 1:55.1 for owners Ron Emerson and Mark Holtan and trainer Joel Mc Danel. She paid $5.80 this evening.

Zachariah’s Honor (Luke Plano) posted his second consecutive lifetime best mile in winning the $25,000 2-year-old geldings pace in 1:57.3 for his proud owners Royal Barbara Roland. It was his fourth lifetime win and he paid $9.00.

Lo Rail Crossing (Jim Marino) picked up his 24th lifetime score while taking down the $12,500 4-year-olds and up trotting event in 1:58.4 for trainer Nick Roland and owner Lorenza Gooch. He paid $9.80 for every $2.00 win wager tonight.

Driver Rick Magee had a huge night with four wins, while Jim Marino picked up three big wins. Drivers Nick Roland and Gerald Longo each picked up two wins on the Night of Champions.