The Tuesday night (June 27) harness racing program at Running Aces was highlighted by the $18,500 Open Handicap Pace, which featured a very talented field of nine competitiors.
Hezzz A Wise Sky, who was coming back fresh off the fastest winning mile ever at Aces in his last start on June 6, was bet down as the 3-5 choice, while American Dreamer (Todd Warren), who was also fresh off a track record mile of his own in his last outing, was given a 4-1 chance as the clear second choice.
Shamwow (Rick Magee) was fastest from the gate from post one before Hezzz A Wise Sky and driver Jacob Cutting came to call for the lead and quickly cleared from the outside post. Once on top, Hezzz A Wise Sky held firm control and posted fast early fractions of :26.2 and :54.1 while everybody followed behind.
Heading for the far turn, Macs Marvel and driver Brady Jenson launched a first-over attack and went after the leader while Saddle Up and Heza Real Diamond both also tried to advance on the outside.
Macs Marvel ($20.40) inched closer and closer to the leader as they rounded past the three-quarter mile peg in 1:22 and he was a menacing presence to the front-runner as they straightened for the wire. Deep in the lane, Macs Marvel drew on even terms before surging past to score a half-length victory and stopping the timer at 1:50.2 to lower his own track record for four-year-old pacing geldings by one-fifth of a second.
Hezzz A Wise Sky was second best and longshot Shamwow finished a solid third.
The winner is a son of Captaintreacherous and is trained by Williams Hernandez for owners Jose Cervantes and Terrence Smith. Macs Marvel now has six wins from 18 starts this season.
Bankers Quest (Mooney Svendsen, $8.20) was an impressive winner on career debut in the $22,000 Minnesota-sired freshman trot in 2:02.1.
After leaving fastest from the gate from post two, Bankers Quest accepted the pocket trip while Insurrectionist led until deep in the lane. Bankers Quest charged out of the pocket and trotted home in :29.2 to post a one-length tally over stablemates Insurrectionist (Luke Plano) and Bankers Grace (Nick Roland).
All of the top three finishers are sired by the late Running Aces star Banker Volo and are trained by Dan Roland. The top two are geldings and owned by Jeralene Roland while the third-place finisher is a filly owned by Kennedy Roland.
Drivers Luke Plano and Brady Jenson and trainer Williams Hernandez all posted doubles on the Tuesday program.
Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday with an 11-race program that will feature a carryover of $12,908.42 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager.
(Running Aces)