Providing further proof that there are "certain horses for certain courses," Restless Yankee returned to Running Aces in Minnesota Sunday night after spending the winter at Pompano Park and the spring at Vernon Downs and captured the $9,500 Open Pace in 1:53.4.
The win was the 45th lifetime for the seven-year-old gelded son of Relentless Yankee -- at least two-thirds of which have been over the excellent five-eighth mile oval.
Defending driving champion Nick Roland was in the sulky for owners Robert Lems, who is also the trainer, and his son Ryan Lems.
Restless Yankee raced second-over in the outer flow from before the half as pacesetter Mystical Valentine (Jason Ryan) was putting up fractions of :27, :55.2 and 1:24 while trying to fend off a relentless first-over attack by Canadian Touch (Tim Maier). Just after Canadian Touch cleared in deep stretch he made a break, which allowed Restless Yankee to inherit the lead just before the wire. Jebswesternshake (Rob Dinning) rallied late to garner the place position with Mystical Valentine awarded the show dough after Canadian Touch was place from third to sixth for the lapped on break.
The win was one of three on the night for Roland, who is approaching the 1,000 career win plateau. He also scored with a pair of Jesse DeLong trainees -- trotter Chewy Dunkerton in a $6,500 Minnesota-sired three-year-old colts race and pacer Im Blue Too in the $4,000 conditioned race nightcap.
Maier notched his second trainer/driver triple in the first three nights of the summer-long meet scoring with Silver Spir (1:52.3), Its Getting Hairy (1:53.3) and Emery Vern (1:55.3).
Adam Hauser had a trainer/driver double as he captured the $6,500 Minnesota-sired three-year-old filly trot with Country Cheerio and broke the pari-mutuel maiden of Everyones Desire in a $3,000 non-winners of one race.
Racing resumes Tuesday and Wednesday night at Running Aces with a 7 p.m. (CST) post time.
(Running Aces)