The Saturday night (June 30) harness racing program at Running Aces was filled with impressive performances and fast miles, but the $11,000 featured Open Handicap Trot stole the show, with a thrilling contest and a sparkling new track record mile by Pridecrest.
The razor-sharp mare Silverlode (Lemoyne Svendsen) fired fast from her outside post 6, with the super Stallion Banker Volo (Rick Magee) surging fast from the next door spot, and these two squared off early. Magee yielded to let Silverlode cut the speedy fractions of :27.2, :55.4 and 1:24, while Pridecrest (Steve Wiseman) settled away in pylon position third. Silverlode held the field at bay until Banker Volo angled to the outside just before turning for home. Banker Volo and Silverlode were in deep battle as they straightened, but Pridecrest began his own attack along the inside, and Silverlode could not fend off the barrage from both sides. It was down to Banker Volo and Pridecrest with 100 yards to go; Pridecrest took a slight advantage along the inside, and Banker Volo tried again with a desperate lunge right on the line. It would not be enough, as Pridecrest had gotten his nose to the wire first by the slimmest of margins in 1:53.4, the fastest trotting mile in the history of Minnesota and Running Aces. The previous record of 1:54.1 had been established almost exactly a year ago by Banker Volo.
Pridecrest is a six-year-old gelding by Angus Hall out of the Westgate Crown mare Spilled Milk. He now has 24 career wins and earnings of $214,779. Pridecrest ($6.20) is owned by Christopher Schick and trained by leading trainer Kathleen Plested.
Also on the Saturday program, Dream Chasin completed a three-race win streak by capturing a $10,200 Minnesota-sired three-year-old pace in a lifetime best mile of 1:53.3 with driver Nick Roland aboard for owners Michelle and Gregory Budach. Dream Chasin ($4.20) dominated the affair from gate to wire. The $6,800 second division went to Frewil Dakota Sven ($2.80), who picked up his first win of the season with a lifetime best mile in 1:54.1 for trainer-driver Brady Jenson and owners Brian and Kim Larson.
Driver Steve Wiseman had another big night, winning half the races on the card with a grand slam.
Live racing continues at Running Aces on Sunday, July 1, with first post at 6:00 p.m. Central time. The 50-cent late Pick 4 features $7,500 guarantee.
(Running Aces)