Running Aces featured a $14,000 Open Mares Handicap Pace on Tuesday evening (June 11) that housed a field of seven.
Cenalta Diamond (driven by Tim Maier) was the favourite in the wagering at 3-5 and was looking for her third consecutive win at the Open level. Pull The Shade (Dean Magee), who is a stablemate to Cenalta Diamond, was the public’s second choice at 7-2.
When the gate sped away from the field it was Delightfully Wild (Nick Roland) who was fastest to the front, as she turned back a challenge for the lead from Strings (Mooney Svendsen). Delightfully Wild served notice that she was in charge and seated her rivals all in a line behind her through the :27.2 opener.
Just after the quarter, Tim Maier got Cenalta Diamond rolling from the back of the pack and created an outer flow. She advanced to third as the field hit the half mile in :56.4, and then applied heavy pressure to the leader as they headed into the final turn. Pull The Shade had picked up the second-over position and was poised to strike from there as the field reached the three-quarters pole in 1:24.4.
Strings had saved ground in the pocket throughout, and was still right there stalking as the field straightened, but Delightfully Wild took off for the wire, as did Pull The Shade, who pulled right alongside and forged to a short lead with just 50 yards to go.
Delightfully Wild ($18.20) was not content to concede the race and she powered right back for a thrilling finish and a resilient victory in 1:53.1. She checked in a head in front of Pull The Shade on the line. Strings was home in third and finished two and three-quarter lengths back of the victor.
Delightfully Wild, who is trained by Jessie Pacheco, is owned by Richard Morita and David Yamada. The sharp six-year-old daughter of Bettors Delight has now won 29 career races, including five this season from 11 outings. She has now amassed $151,375 in lifetime earnings.
Drivers Nick Roland and Rick Magee both recorded driving doubles on the Tuesday card. Dean Magee picked up one win to draw back into a tie for the leading driver spot with Tim Maier at 18 apiece.
Live racing will returns to Running Aces on Saturday (June 15) with a trio of carryover pools. The 50-cent Early Pick-4 wager has a carryover of $2,021.92, while the 20-cent Jackpot Pick-5 stands at $7,005.65. The 50-cent Hi-5 in Race 7 will have a carryover of $1,763.54. Post time on Saturday will be at 6:00 p.m. (CDT).
(With files from Running Aces)