The 2020 live racing season at Running Aces got underway on Saturday (June 20) with a sold-out crowd and strong wagering.
It was the first time in the track's history that live racing was offered in the afternoon, which -- when coupled with COVID-19 related effects like capacity restrictions -- made it hard for track officials to know just what to expect for this year's opener. It's safe to say that the day exceeded all reasonable predictions.
Last year's leading driver Dean Magee served notice immediately that he is here to defend his title after seating the field in behind his first-race charge, the three-year-old pacing gelding Night Delight.
Magee behind Night Delight ripped an opening quarter in :27.4 before taking a breather in the second panel for a :57.4 clocking. Magee then stepped on the gas pedal to keep the rest of the field in chase mode with a :28.4 third quarter and sealed the deal from there, coasting home in :29.4 to post a solid two-length tally in 1:56.1 over race-favourite Bunkerhill Phil and Catchmeinadream. Night Delight ($11.40) is owned and trained by Edwin Quevedo.
All-Time Aces driving leader Nick Roland answered the challenge in Race 2 with a solid steer behind race-favourite Haulin Oats ($3.80) for trainer Rick Bertrand in 1:56. It was the start of a natural double (completed by Twilight Tinker in Race 3, paying $4.20) and contributed to a Hat-Trick on the card for Roland as he also scored another win for Edwin Quevedo with Lukes Cowboy in the sixth event, returning $10.80 to win.
Drivers Rick Magee and Don Harmon both had a good opening day scorecard as well, each recording a double.
Trotting Sire Braggart was extremely well represented on the card, going three-for-three and sweeping all of the days trotting events. With four starters on the program, Braggart prodigies and full siblings Twilight Tinker (Nick Roland, $4.20) and Bragginade (Dean Magee, $13.80) each won their events, while their half-brother Musclestobragon also scored a win (Lemoyne Svendsen, $13.60).
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (June 21) at 1:00 p.m. (CDT) and continues on a Tuesday-Saturday-Sunday schedule throughout the summer. There will be a special Friday card on July 3 and no racing on Saturday, July 4.
(Running Aces)