Columbus, MN – The Sunday night (July 13) harness racing program at Running Aces featured top trotters in the spotlight, including two divisions of Minnesota-sired sophomore action going for $17,500 in each split.
Peanutbutterfalcon (Quality Kemp) was the 1-10 favorite in the male division, and he did not disappoint his backers, delivering his third-straight win and his fifth triumph in six seasonal outings.
Driver Rick Magee and Peanutbutterfalcon were intent on getting to the front early. They had to work a bit to make the top but prevailed in an early tussle with Braggen Bliss (Nick Roland) after a quick :28.1 opening stanza while Tutti Frutti Rudy (Luke Plano) set up shop in third.
Once on the lead, Magee was able to settle his charge into a nice rhythm and they stole a huge breather of :31.3 in the second panel and 1:02.1 in the middle half.
Peanutbutterfalcon was in complete control as they swung for home while Tutti Frutti Rudy launched a nice rally from third, but Peanutbutterfalcon ($2.20) was able to get home safe to win by a half-length over Tutti Frutti Rudy with Braggen Bliss third best in the 1:59.3 mile.
The winner is owned by his breeder Jeri Roland and is trained by Dan Roland. He now shows 12 career wins with total earnings of $134,275.
It’s Gonna Be Mae (Lear Jetta) posted her first career pari-mutuel win in the filly division, rallying from fifth at the half mile to steadily gain on the leaders and eventually surge at the line to win by a head over SHS Southern Pride (Rick Magee) with Flora Cash (Brandon Jenson) a close third in a 1:59.4 mile.
Sean Smithpeters was the winning pilot on It’s Gonna Be Mae ($8.20) for owner/trainer/breeder Alexia Kehl.
Escaper (Billy Mann, $4) delivered another impressive gate-to-wire performance to capture his fourth local win from seven local starts in the $14,750 Open Handicap trot. There were never any anxious moments for the winner, who held gamely against a solid late rally from All Champy (Mooney Svendsen) to prevail by a half-length in a seasonal best 1:55.2.
The winner is owned by Terrence Smith and trained by Maria Alvarez for the Williams Hernandez Stable.
Brady Jenson led the Sunday program with four driving wins and a training double while Luke Plano posted both a driving and training double and Dean Magee also scored a driving double.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday night (July 15) for a nine-race program with first post at 7 p.m. (CDT).