The harness racing program on Thursday, May 30 at Running Aces was loaded with notable events, including the $21,233 Mares Open Handicap Pace, three divisions of the Minnesota-sired sophomore pace and two $9,589 divisions of the Burning Blaze Pacing Series.
Illusion Seelster was the talk of the toteboard in the Mares Open, as she was sent off as the 4-5 public choice from post five in the nine-horse contest.
Driver Jacob Cutting floated Illusion Seelster off the gate in sixth while Two Pistol Annie (James Kennedy) and Aint She Special (Luke Plano) both left from outside posts to take the front positions through early fractions of :27 and :56.2.
Cutting tipped out near the half to follow cover behind Better Double Flip (Todd Warren) and those two quickly advanced past the leaders as the field headed into the far turn, with Better Double Flip making the top near the third checkpoint in 1:24.3.
Illusion Seelster surged strongly as they rounded for the stretch drive and had forged past to take the lead at the top of the lane while Better Double Flip tried to respond and both Premier Delight and Graceful Horizon closed from the back of the field.
Illusion Seelster remained strong in the final stages and paced clear to win by 2-3/4 lengths and stop the timer in 1:52.3 while Better Double Flip was a clear second best.
The winner, paying $3.80 to win, is a four-year-old by State Treasurer-I C Maggie May and she now has four wins from 10 starts this year, with seasonal earnings of $42,800 for owner Terrence Smith. She is trained by Williams Hernandez.
Reigning Minnesota Harness Racing Horse of the Year Apple Juice was back in action on Thursday in the $23,288 sophomore filly 'A' pace and she did not disappoint her fans and pari-mutuel backers, turning in a sharp performance to post her first win of the year.
Cutting was the pilot behind Apple Juice and they wasted no time in asserting themselves to the lead while chief rival Deja Vu Babyboo (Nick Roland) was also fast off the car and secured the pocket. Those two dominated the affair and ultimately provided a great battle in the final sixteenth of a mile with Apple Juice holding her rival at bay by a half-length in 1:54.2 to equal her career best.
Apple Juice ($3) now has nine wins from 16 career starts and earnings of $115,769 for owner/trainer/breeder Scott Banitt.
Rocklikeahurricane (Todd Warren, $5.20) held gamely to win by neck over both Bapas Double Knot and Lovely Normajean in the $11,644 sophomore 'B' pace in 1:58. The winner is owned by Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte and trained by Justin Anfinson.
Celebrity Status (Roland, $6.40) dominated the $23,288 sophomore male pace in a career best 1:56.2 over Flushing Art and Moon Kid Photo. The winner is owned by Set The Pace Racing and is trained Roland.
The winners in the first leg of the Burning Blaze Pacing Series were Stayinforthedance (Cutting, $4.00) in 1:55.1 for owner/trainer Elson Miller and Charmingsix (Dean Magee, $2.60) in 1:54.3 for owner/trainer Larry Feilbach and additional owners Claire Vanden Berg and Brent Feilbach.
Driver Jacob Cutting posted four wins on the Thursday night program, for the first 'grand slam' of the Aces season.
Brady Jenson posted a driving and training double and trainer Elson Miller also sent out two winners.
Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday, June 2 with a 12-race program that will get underway at 6 p.m. (CDT).
(Running Aces)