by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces Casino & Racetrack

Columbus, MN — Stable Eyes ($4.00) took the $11,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace on the Tuesday night (July 11) card at Running Aces, delivering as the even-money public choice for her first local win.

Dee Leftwich photo

Stable Eyes won the $11,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace on Tuesday.

Trainer/driver Luke Plano was aggressive with Stable Eyes, sending her right to the lead from post seven in the eight horse field, and they set fractions of :28.1, :57.2, and 1:25 and completed the victory by stopping the clock at 1:52.3, 1-3/4 lengths ahead of her closest rival. This impressive 9-year-old mare is by Million Dollar Cam and is owned by Tim Clevenger. She has now won 37 races and bankrolled $207,661 lifetime.

Firedrake ($3.20) was fantastic again while posting his sixth consecutive victory in a $6,500 conditioned pacing event with trainer Nick Roland in the bike. Firedrake dominated again with a gate-to-wire score in 1:54.1 to make it seven wins in eight starts this season. He has actually crossed the wire first in each and every race this year, but suffered a disqualification earlier in the meet. The ultra-impressive 4-year-old gelding by Dragon Again is owned by Jessica Johnson and has now won 13 of 23 lifetime races.

The $13,000 Minnesota-Sired 2-year-old trotting event went to Bragginade ($3.60), a gelding by Braggart, for owners Set The Pace Racing. Trainer/driver Nick Roland sent his charge first over past the three-eighths marker and took the lead just after the half-mile post before holding off a late challenge from the early race leader SB Fine And Dandy (James Yoder). Bragginade held gamely to the wire, establishing a lifetime mark of 2:03.3 in his first lifetime win.

The $13,000 Minnesota-Sired 2-year-old pacing event went to Giggle Monster ($2.20) in 1:56.1, who remains perfect in three lifetime races for owners Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte, trainer Denise Maier and driver Dean Magee. The impressive youngster is a gelding by Wind Me Up.

The $10,000 Open Pace went to SF Donttellonme ($3.80) for his second local win and third overall win of the season, as he posted a new lifetime mark of 1:52.1 for owner/trainer/driver Joe Casagranda. This sharp 7-year-old gelding is by Cam Terrific and has now earned $162,070 lifetime.

Leading driver Nick Roland added another grand slam to his resume on Tuesday, with Luke Plano and Joe Casagranda both accomplishing doubles on the card.

The 20-cent Jackpot Pick-5 carryover now sits at $9,384.91 and will highlight the wagering menu for Saturday (July 15) with first post at 6 p.m. (CDT).