The featured event on the Sunday night, June 28 harness racing program at Running Aces was the $50,000 Ron Banks Memorial, a Free-For-All late closer for fillies and mares with a field of seven talented pacing distaffers, and the contest did not disappoint fans, providing gate-to-wire action and a shiny new track record.
When the gate pulled away, Wish I Had Thyme (Nick Roland) got the first call but Premier Desirey (Rick Magee) was hot on her heels and surged to the top to register the opening panel in a snappy :26.4 while Brady Jenson activated K T Part E to make an early move toward the front from third and Teelatini (Luke Plano) tracked inside in fourth.
K T Part E cleared to the front just before the three-eighths mark and was well settled on the lead as they posted a :54.3 opening half-mile. The leader did not get much of a respite before Teelatini was sent into action with a strong first-over bid down the backstretch and she drew on even terms with K T Part E as they headed into the far turn, while Miss Fancy Nancy (Josiah Miller) followed the cover and Premier Desirey was still snug in the pocket at the 1:22.2 three-quarters.
KT Part E was still fending off Teelatini when they swung for home and she dug in impressively with a strong surge as they entered the final sixteenth of the mile. Premier Desirey shook free from the pocket and tried to take her shot at K T Part E, but there was no catching her on this night and she went on to post an impressive 1-1/2-length tally in 1:50.1 to become the fastest pacing mare ever at Running Aces. Premier Desirey was home second and Teelatini was a very game third in the record mile.
The previous track record for pacing mares was 1:50.4 set by Mother Mary in 2025.
K T Part E, a four-year-old daughter of Cattlewash and Fine Chine, is also owned and trained by Jenson. She now has 16 wins from 32 career starts with earnings of $161,755.
An elimination winner a week ago, she was the odds-on favourite in the final and paid $3.20 to win.
All Champy ($32.80) rallied from the back of the pack in the $22,857 Open Handicap Trot to hit the wire first in 1:55.1 for his first win of the season in three tries and his 52nd career victory. Nick Roland drove the 12-year-old son of Explosive Matter-Avista Hanover, who has now earned $778,815 lifetime. He is trained by Kathie Plested and owned by Stephen Chambers of Sacamento, California. Chapolier (Plano) was home second and Fifty Rivers (Casey Leonard) finished third.
SV Shining Star (Be The Best-SB Win Is Fine) delivered another big performance as the big favourite in the $25,000 Minnesota-sired sophomore filly trot, winning in a career-best 1:57.4 over Anitras Dance (Scott Sisco) and Model Good Looks (Jenson). Rick Magee was the winning driver for trainer Justin Anfinson.
Bang Bang Boogie (New Jersey Viking-Caitrin Hall) lived up to the hype in the $25,000 sophomore male division, turning in a career best 1:57 tally over My Little Maverick (Jenson) and Wisco Money Heist (Plano), also with Magee in the bike for trainer Anfinson.
Roland, Magee and Anfinson all had doubles on the program.
Live harness acing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday, June 30 for 'Dollar Night' with $1 USD hot dogs, $2 USD beers and other $1 USD specials. There are eight races on tap with a first post of 7 p.m. (CDT).
(With files from Running Aces)