On Sunday (July 22), Running Aces played host to its signature race of 2018, the $50,000 final of the Dan Patch FFA.

The top five finishers from each of the two July 8 eliminations lined up for battle, as nine noses were on the gate and one trailer started from the second tier. The 10-horse field was deep with talent of both the equine and human variety, and the excitement in the air was palpable for the richest harness race to date in the great state of Minnesota.

Immediately as the gate sped away from the field it was clear that this would be no ordinary race. Nine Ways, who had established himself as a deep closer in his two local starts, was charging fastest off all towards the front for driver Sam Widger, and the duo took command quickly.

Fan favourite Firedrake (driven by Nick Roland) left quickly from the inside to secure the coveted pocket position. At that point it was ‘race on,’ as the rest of the field scrambled for position (competitors raced five-in and five-out past the quarter in :26.4). Stevensville (Rick Magee) had fired from the seven post and was caught first-over, while Trashytonguetalker was in the second-over slot (from Post 10) as the field passed the half in :54.1.

Bettors Promise (Lemoyne Svendsen) had also left from Post 9 and was third-over heading to the five-eighths pole. Nuclear Dragon (Kyle Husted) vacated the fourth-over spot to try a three-wide backside sweep. Hawks Red Chief (Brian Detgen) was out and moving from last. To The Limit was along the pylons in mid-field, and Im An Athlete (James Kennedy) was toward the back of the pack as well as Gold Star Mysti (James Yoder), who saved ground throughout.

Nine Ways (6), pictured victorious in the 2018 final of the Dan Patch FFA at Running Aces

Rounding the final bend, Nine Ways was keeping Trashytonguetalker at bay, with Firedrake a close pocket third. The three-quarters marker flashed a time of 1:22.2 and the outer flow began to deteriorate as they turned in and straightened for home, where Im An Athlete and Nuclear Dragon would end up locking wheels. Nine Ways was holding firm with a sixteenth to go, but Firedrake exploded from the pocket, and To The Limit closed toward the pylons.

For a split second, it appeared that Firedrake may be able to get by the longtime leader, but Nine Ways was determined and fought to the wire, keeping a neck in front and denying last year's Dan Patch FFA champion Firedrake from repeating.

To The Limit was a strong third, and the only mare in the field, Gold Star Mysti, who was tenth in the early stages, checked home a solid fourth. Trashytonguetalker picked up the final cheque after Im An Athlete was disqualified for causing interference to Nuclear Dragon.

The final time of 1:51.1 for Nine Ways registered a new track record for four-year-old pacing geldings, as it eclipsed the 1:51.2 record set last September by runner-up Firedrake.

Nine Ways is a Maryland-bred, by Delmarvalous and out of the Cams Card Shark mare Nine of Hearts, bred by Winbak Farm. Nine Ways ($11.40) is owned by Antonia Storer of Lebanon, Ohio and trained by Denise Maier. He now shows four wins from 21 starts this season, and has boosted his career bankroll to $126,441.

Racing will return to Running Aces on Tuesday night (July 24) with an 11-race program that will kick off at 7:00 p.m. (CDT) and feature two carryover pools: $3,652.57 in the 20-cent Jackpot Pick-5 and $1,873.72 in the 50-cent Hi-5 in Race 10.

(Running Aces)