The Thursday night (June 24) card at Running Aces featured the weekly $12,000 Mares Open handicap pace with eight distaffers lining up behind the gate and last week’s winner, Always Be Lucy (Nick Roland), sent off as the 9-5 public choice.

Anna B (Brady Jenson) swept to the lead from post eight, with Oneida Blue Chip (Mooney Svendsen) following from post seven to secure the pocket and Roland floating Always Be Lucy into third through a :27.4 opening stanza. Rockin With Lou (Gerald Longo) was first to tip to the outside, but made little impression on the leaders. As such, the top three were well clear of the rest throughout the middle fractions (:56.1 and 1:24.1). Turning for home, Oneida Blue Chip pulled the pocket to challenge Anna B but could not get by, yet Always Be Lucy angled into the passing lane with plenty of late pace — surging past Anna B in the shadow of the wire for a half-length score in 1:52.4, her third win in a row. It was the fifth win of the season and 23rd career tally for the six-year-old daughter of Always A Virgin, whom Roland trains for Set The Pace Racing. She paid $5.60.

Alilthundadownunda (Nick Roland, $3.00) surged late to score his third win in a row in the $15,000 Minnesota-sired sophomore “A” pace in 1:55.1, getting home a half length ahead of long shot Maze (Rick Magee), with SD Watchmenow (Brian Detgen) picking up third money. Alilthundadownunda has now won five out of his last six starts for Set The Pace Racing and Roland. The ultra-sharp son of Malaak Uswaad N has been able to overcome post nine and post eight in his last two races and maintain his status as the division leader so far this season.

Brooklyn Wind Up posted a career best mile in the $10,000 sophomore “B” pace with an impressive rally from off the pace. Driver Brady Jenson got away sixth from post eight with Brooklyn Wind Up before picking up second-over cover near the half, and they were in perfect striking position around the far turn. Headed for home, Muffin Top (Brian Detgen) had the lead and Marced In Faith (Tony Kerwood) was second, but Brooklyn Wind Up ($10.20) was loaded with pace and Jenson guided the filly to the far outside to rally past Muffin Top and get up by a head in 1:57.4. Marced in Faith held third. Winning trainer Jenson co-owns Brooklyn WInd Up with Chrstopher Manatt.

Roland led the Thursday program with 3 driving wins and 3 training wins, while Jenson also posted a training double on the card.

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (June 27) with first post at 6:05 p.m. (CDT) and a Jackpot Pick-5 carryover of $24,143.66.

(Running Aces)