Alilthundadownunda did not disappoint his growing legion of fans as he posted another impressive win at Running Aces on Thursday night (July 15) in the $16,000 Minnesota-sired sophomore pace.

Trainer-driver Nick Roland saw a host of other horses leaving for the front and opted to settle away fifth from post nine while Maze (Rick Magee) made the early pace through a :28 quarter and SD Watchmenow (Brian Detgen) followed in the pocket. Roland moved Alilthundadownunda out near the :58.2 half-mile juncture and began to advance toward the leader. The top two traded blows around the far turn as they completed three panels in 1:27.1, and they were noses apart as they turned for home. In mid-stretch, Alilthundadownunda ($3.60) began to get the upper hand and edged away from a game Maze while SD Watchmenow was well clear of the rest in third. The three-quarter-length victory in 1:55 was the sixth in a row for the gelded son of Malak Uswaad N, who has now won 8 of 13 starts this season for owners Set The Pace Racing.

The $12,000 Mares Open Handicap went to Hottieonthehorizon (Luke Plano, $2.80) for the second straight week as she posted an impressive gate-to-wire score in 1:53.1 for her sixth win of the season. Bearly Behavin was second best and Always Be Lucy got home in third. The winner is owned by Leslie Godlien and Rick Lancaster, and is trained by Roland.

The $12,500 Minnesota-sired freshman filly pace went to Park With Me Nancy (Roland, $15.20), a daughter of Wind Me Up who closed from off the pace to post a two-length tally in 1:56 in her first pari-mutuel start. Give Me This Dance (Jacob Cutting) was home in second and Gold Star Snoball checked in third. The top two finishers are both owned by Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte and trained by Justin Anfinson.

The $12,500 Minnesota-sired freshman colt and gelding event went to Lovin On You (Rick Magee, $2.80) for two wins in a row as the gelded son of Easy Again lowered his career mark to 1:56.3 with a 1-1/2-length score over pace-setter Roscoe P Coletrain. The winner is owned by Jesse DeLong and is also trained by Magee.

Roland also posted driving wins with Yjuliahos ($6.80) in 1:55.1 and Senseless Beauty ($11.40) in 1:55.4 to complete his second straight driving grand slam. Magee also posted a driving double on the program, and Roland had three training wins as well.

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (July 18) with first post at 6:05 p.m. (CDT) and will feature a carryover of $3,815.34 in the 20-cent Jackpot Pick-5.

(Running Aces)