Fifty Rivers ($5.40) posted a dominating performance for his second straight win in the $20,833 Open Handicap Trot at Running Aces on Sunday, June 7.
Driver Casey Leonard left aggressively from post six with Fifty Rivers and the sharp four-year-old son of Fiftydallarbill took part in an early three-way speed battle with Escaper (Rick Magee) and Go Have Fun (Brady Jenson). Escaper had the early lead before Go Have Fun surged to the top at the :27.3 quarter with Fifty Rivers looming outside.
Leonard and Fifty Rivers were settled on the lead as they registered the half mile in :56.2 and Go Have Fun picked up the pocket trip with Escaper back in third.
Down the backstretch, Peanutbutterfalcon (Scott Cisco) was launched to the outside from fourth while Fifty Rivers picked up the tempo on the front as they reeled off three panels in 1:25.
Fifty Rivers had a one-length lead at the top of the lane and Escaper tipped out for the drive but Fifty Rivers dug in very impressively to draw clear late and post a 2-1/2-length score over Escaper in 1:53.1 while Peanutbutterfalcon rallied past Go Have Fun for the show dough. The mile clocking was the second fastest trotting mile ever at Running Aces.
The winner is trained by Kathie Plested and owned by J M F Racing of Freehold, New Jersey. He matched his win count from his debut campaign last year (seven) and passed his first season's earnings ($133,312).
Nick Roland steered his own trainee HM Magical Money ($18.20) to a gate-to-wire upset victory in the $24,306 Minnesota-sired sophomore boys trot in 1:59 for his first win of the season and a new career mark. HM Magical Money held safe by just a head over heavy favourite Bang Bang Boogie (Rick Magee). The Tom Ridge gelding is owned by Thomas and Kathy Shipley of Kahoka, Missouri and Royal Roland of Grinnell, Iowa.
The win for Nick Roland marked his 2,500th trip to victory lane as a driver. Roland, 43, is the all-time leading driver at Running Aces with more 1,200 wins at the Minnesota oval. Running Aces made a special winner's circle presentation to the horseman, honouring his personal achievement.
SV Shining Star ($2.40), driven by Rick Magee, captured the $24,306 filly trot again this week in 1:59 for her fifth career win for trainer Justin Anfinson and owner Jay De Long of Clinton, Wisconsin. Anitras Dance (Scott Cisco) was a solid runner-up for the second straight week.
Chicora ($2.20), driven by Casey Leonard, posted her second straight win with a 1:56 five-length romp in the $17,361 Banker Volo Series final over Swan Jefe (Rick Magee) and Isthatevenaquestion (Scott Cisco). It was the second straight win and third of the season for the five-year-old daughter of Lear Jetta who is owned and trained by Jenni King.
Driver Casey Leonard led the program with four wins while Nick Roland had both a driving and training double and both Rick Magee and Justin Anfinson also posted doubles.
(With files from Running Aces)