by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces

Columbus, MN — The Tuesday evening (July 24) program at Running Aces featured the $13,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace and a very nice field of eight distaffers lined up to battle for weekly top honors.

Whatitdo Babyboo garnered a lot of support in the wagering, enough to be sent off as the slight favorite at just over even money, while last week’s winner Delightfully Wild, along with coupled entry-mate Bettor Lady, were also sent off at just over 1-1.

Dee Leftwich photo

Whatitdo Babyboo captured the Mares Open for her first win of the season.

As the starting gate accelerated away from the field, Kiss On The Lips (Gerald Longo) left alertly from post seven to get the first call, but Delightfully Wild was also charging out from post eight, and those two mares squared off around the first turn. Delightfully Wild and driver Mooney Svendsen was able to establish command right at the quarter pole, which registered a :27.4 opening fraction.

Delightfully Wild controlled the affair through the middle portions, with a moderate middle-half (:57.2, and 1:26.3) before facing a strong challenge from longshot Jaded Dream (Brian Detgen) who pressured the leader from just past the five-eighths marker. Whatitdo Babyboo (Rick Magee) began to rally from the back of the pack and was closing fast approaching the top of the stretch.

Turning for home they were stacked up three wide and Whatitdo Babyboo was moving fastest of all. When the field straightened away the 4-year-old Voracious Hanover mare had cleared to the front and was drawing away to the wire, getting home two lengths in front of her rivals in 1:54.1 with a strong final quarter in :27.1. Jaded Dream held second over Delightfully Wild who just edged out stablemate Bettor Lady (Dean Magee).

Whatitdo Babyboo ($4.20) is owned by Van Oterloo Stables and trained by Gordon Graham. The victory was her first win in five starts this season, and her 15th career tally, while pushing her lifetime bankroll to $112,051.

The $14,000 Minnesota-Sired 2-year-old trot went to Dewey’s Machine, a gelding by Ice Machine, owned and trained by Justin Anfinson and driven to a 2:03.4 victory by Steve Wiseman. Dewey’s Machine now has three career starts with two wins to his credit.

The 2-year-old pace went in two divisions, with Here Comes Da Boom ($5.00), with Steve Wiseman driving, picking up a half-length tally in 1:59.3 in the $6,800 B division for his first lifetime victory in two career starts for Merlin Van Oterloo and Brett Ballinger. The $10,200 A division went to Burning Blaze ($2.60) who turned in another impressive performance to advance to 2-for-2 lifetime, stopping the timer in a sharp 1:55.1 with Rick Magee in the bike for trainer Justin Anfinson and owners Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte and Edward Gutin.

Steve Wiseman picked up four winners Tuesday, while Rick Magee and Lemoyne Svendsen both turned in driving doubles.

Racing returns on Saturday (July 28) with a carryover of $4,510.90 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager. First post is 6 p.m. (CDT).