from Running Aces

Columbus, MN — Driver Steve Wiseman captured four races on the Sunday night program at Running Aces, moving him into fifth place in the local dash standings and leaving him just 13 wins short of the coveted 2,000 plateau.

Two of Wiseman’s victories came behind horses from his own barn. Silver Spir used the passing lane to nip Somecam (Gerry Longo) and Headsup Yankee (Nick Roland) in a conditioned-claiming event for a $6,000 purse. It was the fifth seasonal win for owner Maureen Pittaro’s 4-year-old who now has $21,000 in 2013 earnings. Hiho Legacy swept from eighth to first in the final quarter-mile to best a field of $3,500 claimers. It was the second straight win for owner Paul Welence’s gelding who bested Funny Guy (Don Sherman) and Big Guy Two Win (Lemoyne Svendsen).

Wiseman also won for vacationing fellow California trainer Tim Maier, guiding Dani California in a bottom trot, clocked in 1:58.3, to top Viking Mia (Svendsen) and Jessie Ann (James Yoder). Son Jason Maier owns the mare who has notched three wins in her last four starts.

Eternal Overdrive gave Wiseman his other win in a $3,000 claimer timed in 1:54.4. Tim Brown trains the winner for lessee Brandon Bragg. Western So (Evan Coblentz) was a fast-closing second with Kennan’s Jerry (Rocky Stidham) getting the show dough.

There are 11 nights remaining in the 2013 season at Running Aces, so Wiseman needs to average just over one win a night to reach the milestone in his career while at his summer home in Minnesota.

An accident marred the sixth race at Running Aces when Wisconsin’s Best was interfered with and fell, tossing driver Rick Magee to the track. The horse got up minutes later with minor abrasions and Magee won the very next race on the program.