All American N won in the $12,000 Open Trot back-to-back weeks at Running Aces, but Pridecrest spoiled his hope for a "threepeat" with a 1:56.2 victory on Sunday (June 20).
Luke Plano went right to the lead with All American N and enjoyed a comfortable lead in the early stages, while Pridecrest enjoyed the pocket position through moderate early fractions of :29 and :59.2. Near the half, driver Brady Jenson launched Susies Sister to the outside from last and drew alongside the leader to apply pressure as they raced down the backside and headed for the far turn. Bordogna followed the cover, and the field was closely bunched up as they rounded for home.
All American N still had the lead as they straightened for the wire, but Pridecrest had saved ground throughout and was loaded with trot from the pocket. Svendsen guided Pridecrest into the passing lane and they rallied past the front-runner to score a three-quarter length tally with All American N holding a game second and Bordogna picking up third.
The victory was the third of the season and 43rd win overall for Pridecrest, who has now won $366,550. The winning owner is Chris Schick and the winning trainer is Kathie Plested-Wiseman. Mooney Svendsen sat in the sulky.
The Minnesota-Sired sophomore trotting events went for $12,500 each, with six starters the filly division headlined by co-favourites Its So Fluffy and Coatofmanycolors, both sent at even money on the board.
Driver Nick Roland wasted no time in getting Coatofmanycolors in high gear from the outside post and easily landed in front of the field, and led most of the way around the track with The Royal Queen enjoying the pocket trip. Its So Fluffy unleashed a furious attack near three-quarters to take a short-lived lead as Coatofmanycolors responded gamely to quickly re-establish control, and she was never in doubt after that. The Tymal Templar filly trotted a sharp final quarter of :28.3 to register a 1-3/4 length score in 2:01.2 for two wins in a row. The winner is owned and trained by Jenni King and paid $4.20 to win.
The colts & geldings division drew a field of seven and was taken in another impressive gate-to-wire display by Rush To The Bank, who extended his current win streak to 11 and is now a perfect 4-for-4 this season. Ice Titan sat in the pocket and was second best for the fourth time in a row, and Oh Danny Boy was home third in the 2:00.2 mile. Rush To The Bank is a gelded son of Banker Volo, owned by Jeralene Roland and Vickie Rush, and trained by Dan Roland. He paid $2.20 to win.
The $9,300 Open II Trot went to Hearduwhispermynam, who picked up his first win of the season in 1:57.4 with a strong rally from the back of the pack to sweep by the field through the lane and draw away late by 1 1/4 lengths over front-runner Bringthegold with French Eclipse getting home in third. The winner is owned and trained by Jenni King who had two winners on the Sunday card. Rick Magee drove the $5.80 winner.
Nick Roland led the Sunday card with three driving wins, while Jenni King was the only trainer to score a double on Sunday.
Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday night (June 22) with first post at 6:05 p.m. (CDT) and will feature a carryover in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager of $20,599.43, and a guaranteed pool of $5,000 in the 50-cent Late Pick-4 wager.
(Running Aces)