Columbus, MN – The Thursday night (July 23) harness racing program at Running Aces saw a bit of an unusual occurrence when the 7-year-old pacing mare Always A Dancer, who is currently in foal to Sunshine Beach, won her second straight race.
While it is not unheard of for pregnant mares to be racing, it is pretty rare to see, and for such a mare to have rounded into top form while carrying her first foal is quite impressive.
Always A Dancer, who is owned, trained and driven by Brady Jenson, posted a career-best 1:51.3 win on July 9 for her first win of the season and then stepped up in class this week to make it two in a row, getting up to win by a nose in 1:54 in a $7,700 conditioned event.
It was the 14th career win for the now winner of $174,407. The daughter of Always B Miki paid $12.80 to win.
Premier Desirey and driver Luke Plano held on gamely for a gate-to-wire score in the $16,000 Mares Open Handicap pace for her sixth win of the Aces season and her 22nd career score. She was a neck in front of Mother Mary (Rick Magee) on the line in 1:52 while favorite K T Party (Jenson) was just a neck further back in third.
The winner is a 9-year-old by Real Desire and is owned and trained by Harold Herrera. She was the second choice in the wagering and paid $6.20 on top.
Cool Mr Cool (by Wind Me Up) was the fastest 3-year-old winner on Thursday, taking the $17,000 Minnesota-sired sophomore male “A” pace in 1:54.3 over Wild About Me and Bright Path for his fourth win of the season for trainer Justin Anfinson. He was the big favorite and returned $2.40 and had Casey Leonard in the bike.
Starstruck Fool (by Karpathian Kid) and driver Scott Cisco held gamely from post 9 in the $17,000 Fillies “A” division to win by a neck over Prone To Wander with Hot Cheddar Flirt beaten just one length in third in a 1:55 mile. It was the fifth win of the season and 12th career win for Starstruck Fool for trainer Dan Roland. She was the 2-1 second choice, paying $6 to win.
Westward Ho (by Western Trademark) made the most of his first-ever Aces start by posting a big late rally to get up by a neck in a career best 1:55.2 over CL Dancer in the $8,500 sophomore “B” pace for trainer/driver Jenson. He returned $7.80 at the windows.
Brady Jenson led the program with three driving wins, while trainers Harold Herrera and Brett Ballinger each sent out two winners.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday night (July 26) for one of the biggest nights of the season, Dan Patch FFA final night, which will feature the 2026 Dan Patch FFA pace with a purse of $50,000. There are a total of 12 races on the card on Sunday and there is a Dan Patch puzzle giveaway and a weekly “Sole Survivor” handicapping contest. “Pepsi Family Night” specials and kid’s activities are also offered along with trout fishing and food trucks.
There will be a special visit from Hoof Beat Therapeutic Healing Center, which is a local program that features retired Standardbred racehorses from Running Aces that are now serving in their second careers as emotional support, therapy and enrichment horses for disabled children and adults as well as veterans and the elderly.
The program’s founder and manager, Patty Strand, and her team will be on-site with one of the programs star horses, Firedrake, who was the very first Dan Patch FFA winner at Running Aces back in 2017. He will be located in the grassy area near the winner’s circle to meet and greet fans. There will be opportunities to help support the Hoof Beat program as well as sponsored races throughout the night to benefit Hoof Beat.
On the pari-mutuel side, the program on Sunday will offer a mandatory payout of the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager, which will get underway with the Dan Patch FFA race in race 8. There is a carryover of $45,280.68 and an estimated pool of between $100,000 to $150,000 on Sunday. First post is set for 6 p.m. (CDT).