by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces

Columbus, MN — The Sunday (June 3) program at Running Aces was jam-packed with impressive performances, but perhaps the most impressive showing of the evening did not come from one of the trotters or pacers, but rather from the meet’s current leading driver Steve Wiseman, who dominated the card with five wins, one second, one third and one fourth in his eight trips to the starting gate on the nine-race program.

Wiseman got things started early in the card with a sharp looking win with Western Fortune ($3.80) in race two, powering to the front from post five and keeping to task to post a one length tally in 1:54.3 for trainer Tim Brown.

He was right back in the winner’s circle after race three with Coastal Treasure, who benefitted from a quick-thinking brush from the pocket by Wiseman just before the three-eighths pole, which would prove to be the winning move. Coastal Treasure ($9.80) held gamely to win by a neck in 1:55 for trainer Kathie Plested.

After a solid third-place finish with 8-1 shot Stonecold Stunner in the Minnesota-Sired 3-year-old male trot, Wiseman “The Magician” was right back to his winning ways in race five aboard Feeling Fancy Free ($7.00) in the maiden pace, guiding that 5-year-old mare to her first lifetime win (2:00.2) in 29 starts for trainer Marco Rios.

Next, Wiseman piloted Frenchkissmebaby to a good second in the Minnesota-Sired 3-year-old filly trotting event.

Dee Leftwich photo

To The Limit was a 1:52.3 winner in the Sunday Open.

Defending Aces driving champion Wiseman had a race off before returning to the track for the late daily double. Race eight was the featured $13,000 Open Handicap Pace for horses and geldings, and Wiseman stole the show in that contest as well with a fantastic drive aboard To The Limit.

Wiseman was patient through contested early fractions, got into the outer flow past the five-eighths juncture, and angled to the passing lane turning for home to burst through the inside and register a one length victory while drawing away in 1:52.3. To The Limit ($7.00) is owned by Alan Cooper and trained by Kathie Plested. The speedy 6-year-old gelding by Panspacificflight now has two wins in seven starts this year.

The nightcap was up next, and Wiseman was listed on the race-favorite Lincoln, whom he had piloted to two consecutive wins already and the duo were looking to remain an undefeated three-for-three on the Aces season in Sunday night’s contest. After getting away third, Wiseman quarter-pulled Lincoln ($2.80) and swept to the front of the field before the second turn and they dominated the proceedings from there, getting home first in 1:54.1 to complete the three-race win-streak and the Wiseman Late Double. Lincoln is owned by Robin Clements and trained by Denise Maier and he now has seven wins in 20 races this year.

Running Aces offers live racing every Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday night. Tuesday night (June 5) features a $5,000 guarantee in the 50-cent Late Pick-4 wager and a $2,910 carryover in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager. Visit our website at www.RunAces.com for complete information, upcoming events, promotions and handicapping tools, including a free program download for every Tuesday night program.