Minnesota 2018 champion two-year-old trotting gelding MD Magic is back in top form at Running Aces, and he picked up his second win of the year in six starts by capturing the $16,000 trotting feature for Minnesota-sired three-year-olds on Sunday night (June 23).
MD Magic (Nick Roland) started from post 10 in the second tier in a bulky field of sophomores, and got away fifth in the early stages, while Al Mar Humdinger (Don Harmon) and Major Al Mar (Rick Magee) traded turns on the lead. After early fractions of :29.2 and :58.4, MD Magic was first to launch an outside bid, moving first-up as they rounded for the backstretch.
MD Magic ($9.00) pressured Major Al Mar at the top as they rounded the far turn, and clearly got the best of his rival as they trotted through the lane, surging past to get one length clear at the wire in 2:00.1 for his 11th career tally. Major Al Mar was a clear second, with Al Mar Humdinger checking in third.
MD Magic is a son of Braggart out of the Striking Sahbra mare Magical Debut, and he has now earned $90,800 in 17 career races for owners Set The Pace Racing LLC and trainer Nick Roland. He was the top two-year-old male trotter in Minnesota last year and set a record in the Minnesota-sired program with single-season earnings of $70,300.
The Sunday card was loaded with feature events, including the $15,000 Open Handicap Trot, which went to three-year-old sensation Bordogna, who now sports three wins in a row after a sharp-looking rally from the back of the pack to sweep the field in 1:55.4. Bordogna ($4.20, Steve Wiseman) is trained by Justin Anfinson for owners Rick and Mr. Caroll Huffman, Larry Mather and Alan Eden.
The $17,000 Open Handicap Pace for horses and geldings featured a talented field of 10, and the return of 2018 Dan Patch FFA Pace winner Nine Ways. He was highly regarded at the windows at 3-5 from post 8 and did not disappoint his backers. Nine Ways ($3.40, Dean Magee) blasted right to the lead and was never in doubt in a sharp 1:51.4 mile, his second win in a row. Tim Maier trains the five-year-old gelding by Delmarvalous for owner Antonia Storer. Fox Valley Nemitz (Brian Detgen) was a fast-closing second and King of The Crop (Steve Wiseman) was third.
The $15,000 Minnesota-sired trot went to Bragginade ($19.00, Nick Roland), who is back in top form and trotted to a career best 1:57.4 victory for his first win of the year in five starts. The Braggart gelding was the freshman state champ two years ago and has now earned $90,009 for owners Set The Pace Racing LLC and trainer Nick Roland. Jenni King trainees French Eclipse and Whatevershesgot were second and third, respectively.
Drivers Dean Magee and Nick Roland shared top honours on the night, with three wins each.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday (June 25), with a 12-race program kicking off at 7 p.m. (Central).
(Running Aces)