The $11,000 Open Handicap Trot was the featured event on the Saturday night (August 13) harness racing program at Running Aces, and track record holder Banker Volo ($3.20) was back in racing action after taking a stint as 'Equine Ambassador' on Family Day at the track last Sunday, when he provided jog cart rides to lucky and adoring fans.

Saturday's assignment would prove to be no walk in the park for the very talented and heavily favoured Banker Volo, as he would wind up hung every step of the mile from post six in the six-horse contest.

When the gates swung open, there was a mad scramble for the lead, and the first leader was Explosive Muscles (Gerald Longo), who had charged out from post four to the front at the :28 quarter pole. The battle continued and the lead went to Flameon with Dean Magee, who cleared and were immediately challenged by Banker Volo and Nick Roland. Banker Volo had left sharply from post six and found himself caught in a heavyweight battle as Flameon would not concede through the half in :56.3 and three-quarters in 1:25.2. Though that duo was noticeably tiring from the epic duel, they continued to fight on in the stretch, and Banker Volo dug down deep to take the winner’s prize, out-kicking Flameon to the wire and holding off a fast-charging Big Expense (Mooney Svendsen) in 1:56.3.

Banker Volo, a career winner of $270,043, now sports eight wins in 10 starts this year for owners Daniel and Jeralene Roland.

During Saturday's card, Running Aces remembered the late Charlie Hare with race four named in his memory. Hare was a Minnesota resident and lifelong friend of both Gerald Longo and John Rogers, and in fact, worked in the Gerald Longo stable every year at Running Aces. On hand in the winner’s circle for the memorial were many of Hare's friends, fellow horsemen and family, including his son and daughter, nephews and granddaughters and great-granddaughters. Flick A Fly ($3.80) won the memorial race, a fillies and mares conditioned pace, in 1:54.3 with driver Rick Magee.

(With files from Running Aces)