A newcomer showed up for Running Aces' $8,500 Open Trot on Wednesday, June 12 and immediately flexed his muscles in an awesome 1:54.4 all-age track record performance.
Seven-year-old Kadabra gelding Celebrity Hercules was content to sit fifth to the halfway station before driver John De Long pulled his favoured charge to the outside and wore down his competition to win going away.
Shelby County (driven by Rocky Stidham) finished eight lengths behind in second. Macks Molly Hall (Nick Roland) finished third.
Celebrity Hercules is owned by Dandy Farms and trained by Erin Elliott. It was his 22nd career victory. 'Hercules' has not missed the board in 2013, as he has recorded eight wins, four second-place finishes and two third-place efforts from 14 starts.
The 1:54.4 clocking smashed the old Running Aces trot mark of 1:56, established by Rompaway Brandon in 2011.
The win was one of three for former local driving champion John De Long, who also visited the winner's circle with Im Blue Too and Firstclassalltheway. Defending dash champ Nick Roland fashioned a driving double behind Country Jewel and Andrew Ole Boy.
Racing will resume at Running Aces this weekend with cards on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday at 6:00 p.m. (CST).
(Running Aces)