Columbus, MN – The first freshman pari-mutuel event of the season went post-ward on the Tuesday night (June 29) at Running Aces, with a field of seven trotters facing the starter for the $7,100 2-year-old open event.

Toast The Host with trainer/driver Mark Mintun posted a dominating win in the freshman Open Trot Tuesday at Running Aces. Dee Leftwich Photo.

Chip Talks (Rick Magee) was fastest of all from the outside post and took the early lead, while Toast The Host (Mark Mintun) got away sharply from post three to drop in the pocket early as they registered a :31.2 opening quarter.

Mintun wasted no time in getting his horse to the front of the field, going around the leader just past the quarter pole to take control of affairs and enjoy a comfortable lead through the middle stages of the race (1:02.3 and 1:32.2) as Chip Talks tried hard to keep tabs from second.

Toast The Host ($10.20) posted a sharp final stanza of :29.4 to draw away by 2-3/4 lengths at the finish in 2:02.1 for her first career pari-mutuel win. Chip Talks was a solid second and Vickie’s Vacation (Nick Roland) was third throughout. The winning filly is a daughter of My MVP and is also trained by Mintun, who co-owns with Stephanie Gould.

Hoo Nien A (Gerald Longo, $26.40) posted a sharp first-over grinding win in the $12,000 Open pace event on Tuesday night, getting a head in front at the wire in 1:54.1 in a thrilling four-horse photo finish.

Starting from post two in the seven horse contest, Longo got away fourth as Major Pocket A (Nick Roland) made the pace and Apex Seelster (Brady Jenson) sat the pocket. Longo got rolling with Hoo Nien A just past the three-eighths marker and pressured the leader all the way around the track. The two Australian imports were on even terms as they straightened for home, while Apex Seelster and Elusive Image (Jacob Cutting) were both surging late.

Hoo Nien A was able to pull off the victory for his fourth win of the year and his 29th career tall; he has now earned $216,714. The 9-year-old Always A Virgin gelding is also owned and trained by Longo.

Nine-year-old pacing gelding Castle Flight (Nick Roland, $3) posted the fastest winning mile of the evening, with a half-length tally over Zanetti (Rick Magee) in 1:53.1 to register his 34th career win, and push his career bankroll over the $350,000 mark. The victory came in a $8,200 conditioned event where Castle Flight led from the start and held off a late rally from the runner-up. The winning owner is Bill Dessert and Roland is also the trainer.

Drivers Brady Jenson and Nick Roland both completed doubles on the card, while Roland led all trainers with 3 winners on the program.

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday (July 1) with first post at 6:05 p.m. (CDT) and will feature a carryover of $26,967.37 in the Pick-5 Jackpot wager.