from Running Aces

Columbus, MN — For the second consecutive week an invader from Chicago captured the Open Trot at Running Aces on Wednesday night (July 9).

Dee Leftwich photo

Rock Hollywood, with Running Aces’ leading driver Nick Roland at the lines, captured the $10,000 Open Trot Wednesday night in his first-ever start in Minnesota.

Rock Hollywood, a 7-year-old gelding who hadn’t won in 21 starts over two years, trotted to an impressive victory over last week’s winner Trot Fudge Sundae (Rick Magee), another recent Chicago newcomer, and Franky Provolone (Jason Ryan) to earn the winner’s share of the $10,000 purse.

Leading driver Nick Roland made a quarter-move to the front and never looked back, winning by 1-1/4 lengths in 1:55.4, just one second off the all-time track trotting record.

Although Rock Hollywood was bred in Illinois and earned more than $200,000 in North America in his early years, he raced exclusively in Norway in 2013 and early 2014 before being returned to the United States. He had two place finishes in Chicago after being returned to North America, before being shipped by owner Mike Brink to trainer Brett Ballinger at Running Aces.

Toatsmygoats equaled a long-standing track record for 2-year-old colts when he destroyed a field of Minnesota-sired freshman pacers in 1:56.3. It was the Relentless Yankee colt’s second win in as many tries, both chasing $13,000 state-restricted purses, for the Van Otterloo Stable, trainer Dave Flinn and driver Jason Ryan.

The quick clocking matched the one of Chewy Baca — also owned by the Van Otterloo Stable and trained by Flinn — in 2011.

The 50 cent Pick-6 wager went unsolved for the seventh straight program, producing a carryover of $4,298.87 into the wager on Saturday night when racing resumes at Running Aces. The wagering pool could exceed $8,000 by the time the bet begins on the fifth through tenth race on Saturday. Post time is 7 p.m. (CDT).