The Sunday night (June 5) harness racing program at Running Aces was highlighted by the track's top weekly trotting events and this week's action featured a full field of nine to face the starter for the $16,500 Open Handicap.
All American N was the 9-5 post time favourite and he was sent to the front from post seven by driver Luke Plano to post the quick :27.3 opening quarter. Mind Yown Business (Brady Jenson) also left sharply from post eight and was parked early before taking over the top near the three-eighths mark.
Star Track Hanover (Dean Magee) was another quick starter in the field and landed in third from post six. They trotted in a line past the halfway marker in :56 before Star Track Hanover began the outer flow down the backside.
Pridecrest, who had initially settled away in fifth, was activated by driver Mooney Svendsen to grab the cover and those two advanced towards the front as they rounded into the far turn, with the back markers also joining the charge and the featured field was stacked up past the three-quarters in 1:25.3.
Mind Yown Business was under siege as they straightened for home as Star Track Hanover forged to a narrow lead and All American N charged on the inside. Pridecrest ($41.20) tipped wide and hit his best stride when it counted the most to surge past the top pair in the shadow of the wire, posting a 1-3/4 length victory in 1:55.4 for his third win of the season. Bordogna (Rick Magee) rallied from last to pick up fourth money over Silverhill Volo (Chip Lackey).
Pridecrest is a 10-year-old gelding by Angus Hall, owned by Christopher Schick and trained by Kathleen Plested. The Ontario-bred now shows 51 career tallies and earnings of $462,141.
The $19,800 Minnesota-sired 'A' sophomore trot event drew a field of nine and was dominated by last week's winner Scroll On By (Anthony Kerwood), who posted a sharp gate-to-wire victory from post two by 2-3/4 lengths.
The impressive daughter of Banker Volo was never in doubt in the 1:59 mile and returned $3.60 as the race favourite. CR Promise To You (Jenson) was the best of the rest after a long first-over trip to trot home in second while stablemates Need More Cowbell (Dan Roland) and Vickies Vacation (Plano) both rallied from the back to hit the top four.
The winner is owned by Kennedy Roland and trained by Dan Roland.
The $13,200 'B' division went to heavily-backed filly Triggered ($3) and driver Mooney Svendsen, who orchestrated a perfect pocket trip and powered past front-runner Luna Love So Good (Rick Magee) in the lane for a half-length score with a career best win for owner/trainer and breeder Robert Lems. Cnnothinbutailites (Plano) picked up the pieces in third in the 2:00.2 mile.
The 'B' division winner is also a daughter of Banker Volo.
Svendsen led the Sunday program with three wins, while Dean Magee posted a driving double and trainer Kathleen Plested also scored a double on the card.
Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday night (June 7) featuring Dollar Night specials and free bet drawings. The race program will also offer a pair of carryovers, including $16,460.95 in the Pick-5 Jackpot and $3,335.26 in the Hi-5. First post is set for 7 p.m. (CDT).
(With files from Running Aces)