Columbus, MN — The Thursday night (July 1) program at Running Aces featured the first freshman pacing event of the season, the $7,100 2-year-old open. The event drew a field of six with all starters making their career debut in the contest.

RB dominated the $7,100 2-year-old open pace for his first lifetime win. Dee Leftwich photo.

RB was the fastest away from the gate from post five and quickly took control for driver Kim Pluta, while Gold Star Snoball (Dean Magee) got away in good order from post four to secure the pocket position and JK My Girl (Jacob Cutting) settled away in third from post two, with an opening quarter of :29.2.

The tempo slowed considerably in the middle half (1:01.2 and 1:33) before RB kicked into high gear to post a sharp :27.4 final panel and post a gate-to-wire score in 2:00.4 with Gold Star Snoball checking in a clear second and JK My Girl picking up third.

RB ($5.00) is a gelded son of Megatron-Getoutthediamonds, owned and trained by Ron Merritt and bred by Brett Boyd Racing.

The weekly $12,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace was another showdown between Always Be Lucy (Nick Roland) and Anna B (Brady Jenson) and this week Anna B was able to convert the pocket trip into a half-length victory over pacesetter Always Be Lucy in a 1:53.3 mile. Hottieonthehorizon (Luke Plano) picked up third in the event.

Anna B ($5.60) is also owned and trained by Jenson. The 5-year-old daughter of Cam’s Rocket has now won eight races from 18 starts and has earned $44,666 so far this season.

Alilthundadownunda (Nick Roland, $3.60) rolled to his fourth consecutive win with a sweeping move from the back of the pack. He drew away late to score a 2-1/4 length tally in a career best mile of 1:53.4 in the $7,100 3-year-old open pace. SD Watch Me Now (Brian Detgen) was second best and longshot Gee Wilikers (Jacob Cutting) was home in third.

Alilthundadownunda is owned by Set The Pace Racing and is also trained by Roland.

Nick Roland, Brady Jenson and Jacob Cutting all scored driving doubles on the program and Roland also registered a training double.

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Monday (July 5) with first post at 6:05 p.m. (CDT) and will feature two carryover pools: $28,939.76 in the Pick-5 Jackpot and $1,785.79 in the 50-cent Hi-5 wager.