Driver Luke Plano powered Mandeville for the front in the final half and battled to the finish to claim a narrow victory in the $16,000 Open Handicap Trot at Running Aces on Sunday (May 22).
All American N was fastest off the gate from post 7 and easily took control of the affair while Mind Yown Business dropped in the pocket and Star Track Hanover got away in third while All American N posted opening fractions of :27.2 and :57.2 with no early pressure.
Mandeville got rolling shortly after the half mile juncture and was looming large as they headed past three-quarters in 1:26.4, while Pridecrest and Rush To The Bank were also moving on the outside. As the field straightened for the finish, Mind Yown Business found room in the passing lane while Mandeville surged on the outside of All American in a thrilling three-way battle to the wire.
When the dust settled, Mandeville had a neck in front for the 1:56.1 victory over Mind Yown Business and All American, with Pridecrest and Rush To The Bank not far behind to complete the Hi-5 numbers.
Mandeville is owned and trained by Gerald Longo, and he now sport’s 8 wins in 12 seasonal starts 48 wins and earnings of $376,804 in his career. He paid $6.60 to win.
There were two $9,700 divisions of the Three-Year-Old Open Trot with Need More Cowbell posting a game three-quarter lengths victory over front-stepper CR Promise To You in 2:00.3 with Triggered a close third. The victory was the second in a row for the Banker Volo gelding Need More Cowbell for trainer-driver Dan Roland and owners Jeralene Roland, Vickie Rush, and Kara Morales. He paid $3.40 to win.
The second division went to Vickies Vacation, who posted a half-length tally over stablemate and last year’s freshman filly state champion Scroll On By. Both fillies are by Banker Volo and both are trained by Dan Roland. The $22.40 winner is also owned by Jeralene Roland and Vickie Rush while Nick Roland sat in the sulky. Heavy favourite Romantic Warrior was a close third in the 2:00.3 mile.
Also on the Sunday card, Silverhill Volo (James Lackey, $16.80) picked up his fourth win of the season and 34th tally in his career when he kept a head in front of a fast closing Bordogna (Rick Magee) at the wire in 1:57.4 in a $12,000 conditioned trot. Bringoverthemoney (Mooney Svendsen) was a close third in that contest.
Luke Plano led the program with three driving wins and trainer Dan Roland posted a double.
The first round of the Linkjack Hanover pacing series, along with the weekly $16,500 Open Handicap Pace will highlight the Tuesday night (May 24) card at Running Aces, which will also feature a pair of carryovers. The 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot currently has $4,235.30 in the pot, while the 50-cent Hi-5 has a carryover of $1,460.83 for race seven. First post is at 7:00 p.m. (CDT).