The Sunday (June 18) card at Running Aces featured no less than five late closing series finals going for a total of $70,000 in purse money, as well as the $12,000 Open Handicap Pace for horses and geldings.
In the Open Pace, SF Donttellonme provided his second win of the season for owner/trainer/driver Joe Casagranda. The duo stopped the clock in 1:52.2 to equal the lifetime-best mile set right here last season for the seven-year-old gelding by Cam Terrific. He left alertly from post six for the early lead before yielding and picking up the pocket trip, from which he easily rocketed past the leader, Allmyxsliventexas (Mooney Svendsen), in the lane for the two and three-quarter length tally.
In the $15,000 Charlie Hare Trotting Series final, Lettinthenightroll ($3.40) delivered as part of the favoured entry with driver Luke Plano in the bike for owner/trainer Jenni King. It was the fifth lifetime win for the four-year-old mare by Sos Lunar Eclipse who trotted the mile in 1:58.3.
In the $15,000 Norrine C Pacing Series final, E L Peacemaker ($3.80) completed the series sweep with another sharp win from gate-to-wire, equaling her lifetime mark (1:55.1) set a week ago in the same series. The impressive four-year-old mare by Duneside Perch now shows four wins in a row for owner Russell Crotchett and trainer Brett Ballinger.
The $12,500 Bestdealintown Pacing Claiming Series final went to Mighty Fine Hi Ho ($11.60), who closed impressively from well off the pace to pick up a one and a half length win in 1:55.4. The victory was third win in 12 starts this year for the 11-year-old gelding, who was driven to victory by Dean Magee for owner/trainer Edwin Quevedo.
The $15,000 Whata Terror Pacing Series final went to Mr Ranger ($9.00) with driver James Yoder in the sulky for Brett Boyd Racing and trainer Gene Miller. He scored his first lifetime win from just three starts in 1:54.4. The three-year-old Indiana bred gelding is by Palone Ranger.
Finally in the $12,500 Minnehaha Mares Pacing Claiming Series final, Secret Alibi ($10.60) posted a pocket-rocket winning effort in 1:54.4 with trainer/driver Luke Plano in the bike. It was the fourth win of the season in 20 starts for Secret Alibi, who is owned by Heather Mathews.
Plano tripled while drivers James Yoder and Dean Magee also picked up driving doubles on the program.
The next card of live harness racing at Running Aces Casino & Racetrack will go to post on Tuesday night, June 20 at 7 p.m. CDT, with a carryover in the 20-cent Jackpot Pick-5 wager of $15,138.19.
(With files from Running Aces)