The $20,000 Running Aces' Featured Trot was the top-billed event on the Saturday, June 16 Minnesota harness racing card, and it would turn out to be another thrilling and record setting contest.
Overall Track Record holder Banker Volo flew off the gate from post 8 to establish command, with Silverlode following suit from post 7 to drop into the pocket. Banker Volo posted a fast early quarter mile of :27.3, and led through the middle panels of :57.1 and 1:26.0 before facing a strong challenge from Ideal Jesse, while Silverlode saved ground along the pylons in third.
As they straightened for home, Banker Volo was facing challenges from all sides, and could not hold off the late challengers. Silverlode was fastest of all, utilizing the passing lane to her advantage to sweep by the field to score by one length in 1:54.3 and lower the track record for aged trotting mares. The time was just one-fifth of a second off of the overall track trotting mark of 1:54.2 held by Banker Volo.
Ideal Jesse got second second, while Pridecrest rallied past Banker Volo for third money.
Silverlode is a nine-year-old mare by British Sterling, and out of the Website mare Charlottes Web. Silverlode collected her third win in a row and secured lifetime win No. 39 while pushing her career earnings to $202,187. She is currently under lease to Emilio Cisneros from the Desomer Stables and is trained by Richard Bertrand. Driven by Lemoyne Svendsen, she paid $10.00 to win.
One lucky patron solved the 20-cent Pick 5 Jackpot wager to collect $8,382.04, and a pair of longshots in the final two races spurred a carryover in both the Pick-3 and Pick-4 wagers for Sunday, June 17.
Sunday’s program features a $7,500 Guaranteed Pool in the Late Pick-4 wager and is headlined by the $20,000 Running Aces Featured Pace.
(With files from Running Aces)