The Thursday, June 13 harness racing program at Running Aces was certainly not lacking in big performances and close finishes as six of the 11 contests on the card were decided by a neck or less on the wire.
Aint She Special won her event, the $21,233 Mares Open Handicap Pace by 1-1/2 lengths in gate-to-wire fashion for her sixth win of the season. Piloted by her trainer and co-owner Luke Plano, Aint She Special stopped the timer in 1:52.3 for the fastest mile of the night and rewarded her backers with a hefty mutuel of $21.60. The daughter of American Ideal is also owned by Dave Haness.
Delco Irene posted a career best mile while holding off heavy favourite Apple Juice (Jacob Cutting) by a head in 1:53.3 for her third career win, capturing the $23,288 sophomore filly pace for owner Jay De Long and trainer Justin Anfinson. Brady Jenson was the winning pilot and the win return on the daughter of Wind Me Up was $9.20 for every $2 ticket.
El Parrandero Q ($13.60) made his way back to the Running Aces winner's circle in just his second start of the season after successfully gunning down front-runner and favourite Celebrity Status (Nick Roland) by a neck to capture the $23,288 sophomore male pace in a career best 1:54.4. The winner, a son of Wind Me Up, was driven by Jacob Cutting for owner Triple Q Stables and trainer Edwin Quevedo.
Charmingsix ($2.80) made it four in a row and successfully swept the Burning Blaze Pacing Series, holding off longshot Lady Wishes (Plano) in a thriller in 1:54.4 to take the top prize in the $20,548 final. The winning son of Check Six is owned and trained by Larry Feilbach and also owned by Claire Vanden Berg and Brent Feilbach and Dean Magee was the winning pilot.
Tee You Vee ($2.60) delivered a big performance in his first start of the season to deliver as the heavy favourite in the $11,644 sophomore 'B' pace. That son of Special Forces scored in a career best 1:57.4 with driver Todd Warren for trainer Brett Ballinger and owner Merlin Van Otterloo.
Brady Jenson led the Thursday program with a driving double.
The final five races had no winning favourites and one lucky player successfully solved the 20-cent Pick-5 puzzle to take down a Jackpot of $18,186.18.
Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday, June 16 for a Father's Day celebration. The event offers a funky socks giveaway, Pepsi Family Night specials and kids' activities, food trucks, trout fishing and a Sole Survivor contest to compliment the 12-race program that kicks off at 6 p.m. (CDT).
(Running Aces)