by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces

Columbus, MN — The Sunday evening (July 15) program at Running Aces featured the $15,000 Dan Patch Preview Pace, with seven of the top 10 horses from the Dan Patch eliminations having dropped in the box for the preview event.

Nuclear Dragon (Kyle Husted) was the slight favorite in the wagering as the 9-5 choice, with Stevensville (Rick Magee) close behind at 2-1, and Nine Ways also getting plenty of support at 5-/2.

Dee Leftwich photo

Nuclear Dragon held his rivals at bay by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:51.4.

Stevensville and Firedrake (Nick Roland) were fastest off the gate and Stevensville established early command from post five4 and checked the field in at the quarter in :27.1. Nuclear Dragon had floated away fourth from the outside seven post, but launched an early first-over attack to be second on the outside at the :56.2 halfway point. Longshot Bettor’s Promise (Lemoyne Svendsen) followed Nuclear Dragon into the two-path, and Gold Star Mysti (James Yoder) picked up the cover and was advancing in the third-over position, while Nine Ways also joined the outer flow and the field tightened up down the backstretch.

Nuclear Dragon began to apply heavy pressure to Stevensville as they turned, and was able to forge past the longtime leader just before the 1:23.2 three-quarter checkpoint. Bettor’s Promise was able to drop down into the pocket rounding for home, and tipped from there to engage the leader in deep stretch, but Nuclear Dragon had more fire in his belly and remained game to the wire, holding his rivals at bay by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:51.4 for his fourth win of the season. Bettor’s Promise spiced up the results at 34-1 in second, with Nine Ways completing the trifecta and Firedrake was home in fourth.

Nuclear Dragon ($5.60) is a 6-year-old gelding by Nuclear Breeze, out of the Dragon Again mare My Dragon Flys. The winner of $224,148 is owned by Richard Mishkin and trained by Jeff Johnson Jr.

The $11,000 Open Trot event was also a top feature on Sunday, with six talented square-gaiters facing the starter for weekly top honors. Another Breath (Kyle Husted) was the talk of the toteboard, being sent off as the even money choice after a strong second place in his local debut last week. Banker Volo (Rick Magee) was also highly regarded at 2-1 and he fired fastest of all from his outside six post and relegated the rest of the field at least two lengths back through the moderate fractions of :28.4, :58.4 and 1:26.3.

Longshot Doug’s Hobby Horse (Nick Roland) had the pocket trip, with Pridecrest (Steve Wiseman) sitting third before tipping first-over past the five-eighths marker. Another Breath had jumped it off at the start, and Silverlode (Lemoyne Svendsen) had made a break behind the gate.

Pridecrest dropped into the pocket in front of a gapping Doug’s Hobby Horse and waited for the stretch drive. Banker Volo was still trotting strong as they straightened but Pridecrest vacated the pocket and had plenty of trot, sweeping by his rival in the final 50 yards to score a 1-1/4 length tally in 1:55.1 for leading trainer Kathie Plested, and owner Christopher Schick. Silverlode made an impressive recovery to pick up third money.

The 7-year-old Angus Hall gelding Pridecrest now sports seven wins in 14 starts this year, 25 lifetime wins and $221,239 in career earnings. He paid $10 for every $2 win wager.

The Tuesday night (July 17) program at Running Aces will feature a $7,500 guaranteed pool in the 50-cent Late Pick-4 and a carryover in the 20-cent Pick-5 of $1,289.85.

Next weekend (July 21-22) is Dan Patch weekend at Running Aces, with the $25,000 Minnesota-Preferred Trot and $25,000 Minnesota-Preferred Pace on Saturday, along with a horse and driver bobblehead giveaway. Then on Sunday it’s the $50,000 Dan Patch FFA final (sponsored by Watch and Wager). Also on Sunday, one lucky fan at Running Aces will win a trip for two to the Hambletonian.