The $11,000 Open Handicap pace was the featured event on the Tuesday (June 1) program at Running Aces, and favourite SB Bodacious turned in another stellar performance to live up to all of the pre-race hype.
Starting from post 5, SB Bodacious was fastest off the car and quickly settled an early skirmish with stablemate Zanetti to take control of affairs and register a :27.1 opening panel. Rick Magee settled his five-year-old Voracious Hanover gelding for a second-quarter breather of :29.1 while his other trainee, Zanetti, tracked intently from the pocket. Solongo traveled along in third through the opening half mile, and the first to move outside was Frewil Dakota Sven, who set sail from the back of the pack to advance in the first-over position.
Magee gave the cue to SB Bodacious and he kicked into high gear as they headed into the far turn, with Zanetti keeping pace in second and Frewil Dakota Sven a clear third. The leader turned in back-to-back panels of :27.2 to stop the timer in 1:51.1 for the second-straight week. Zanetti was a strong second at the wirejust one length back, while Frewil Dakota Sven held a clear third while two-and-a-quarter lengths behind the winner.
The victory was the third in a row for SB Bodacious and marked his 18th tally. Magee also owns the impressive pacer, and trains both the winner and the runner-up. He paid $2.20 to win.
Trainer Edward Hernandez also registered a one-two knockout punch on the Tuesday card, with his trainees sweeping the final race exacta in a tough nine-horse contest. Hernandez sent So So De Vie with Brady Jenson in the bike from post 7, and that pair went straight to the front and never looked back. Dean Magee piloted Parklane Jet from post 3 for Hernandez and got away seventh, saving ground through much of the contest before eventually steering to the far outside as they straightened for home. Parklane Jet had a ton of late pace and just missed a trip to the winner’s circle in a thrilling finish. The final margin was just a neck in a 1:53 mile.
So So De Vie ($15.60) is a four-year-old gelding by American Ideal, owned by Jose Cervantes. The victory completed a double on the card for Jenson.
Jacob Cutting led the Tuesday program with a hat trick, delivering nice dividends ($15.40, $24.40, and $14.20) with all of his wins on the night. Mooney Svendsen also registered a double on the evening.
Trainer Kathie Plested-Wiseman registered the lone training double on the card.
Thursday’s (June 3) program at Running Aces will feature several carryover pools, including $3,036.11 for the 50-cent Pick 4 in Race 2, $7,114.60 for the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot in Race 5, and $1,156.72 for the 50-cent Hi-5 in Race 8. Post Time is 6:05 p.m. (CDT).
(Running Aces)