The Sunday evening (June 30) harness-racing program at Running Aces was jam-packed with featured events and competitive contests spanning the 12-race card headlined by a $15,000 Open Trot, which went to Banker Volo.
Leaving from post eight, Banker Volo looked to extend his four-race winning streak that began on May 26. The field also included a coupled entry of Muscle Ave and Winning Lyric, who went as the 6-5 favourites.
Banker Volo flashed his usual gate speed from the outside spot and grabbed the early lead, while Muscle Ave quickly moved to attack and take over the front moving to the quarter. But Banker Volo and driver Nick Roland chose to not sit the pocket and quickly utilized the give-and-go to get back on top at the three-eighths pole.
Banker Volo led from there and built a three-length advantage as they rounded the far turn, but Winning Lyric began to bridge the gap and charged hard in the final stages. Banker Volo responded to the challenge and was game right to the wire, keeping a head in front of Winning Lyric as they hit the line in 1:55.2 with My Uncle Cuz home third.
The victory now makes five wins in a row for Banker Volo, who has now earned $45,775 from seven outings this season and $461,853 from 128 races with 41 wins. Lucas Roland is the winning owner and Jenni King is the winning trainer. He paid $6.00 to win.
Pridecrest made his second Running Aces start of the season on Sunday, headlining a very talented field of eight in a $7,500 conditioned trot from post 3 as the 1-2 public choice.
Mystic Flower left fastest from the gate before Cartier Zette swept to the lead. Pridecrest got rolling near the three-eighths marker and was first over throughout from there. Pridecrest continued to press the leader and drew alongside turning for home before forging to the lead close to home. Its A Horse charged late at a big price but Pridecrest kicked home a winner in 1:56.3 to score by a half-length with Cartier Zette home in third.
Pridecrest now shows two wins in ten starts this year, earning $15,970 while his career numbers advance to 33 wins and $286,934. The winning owner is Christopher Schick and the winning trainer is Kathleen Plested-Wiseman. Steve Wiseman sat in the sulky.
Nine Ways dominated the $15,000 Open Handicap Pace event for the second consecutive week, turning in a strong 1:52 mile for his third-straight win. Bettors Promise blasted from post five and then sat the pocket to Nine Ways as he led the mile. Bettors Promise then tried to get by in the lane but Nine Ways would not relent, powering home in :27.4 for another impressive win. Fox Valley Nemitz rallied late for third.
Nine Ways now has six wins in twenty four starts this year, earning $77,360. His career stats advance to 21 wins and $229,406 from 86 races. The winning owner is Antonia Storer and the winning trainer is Tim Maier. Dean Magee drove the $3.00 winner.
Lone Pine Shuzy ($15.60, Jesse Yoder) scored in the $9,200 MN 3YO Trot (class B) in 2:02.1, while Major Al-Mar ($9.80, Rick Magee) scored in the $13,800 "A" division in 2:00.1 for his first career win.
Drivers Nick Roland and Rick Magee both picked up Hat-Tricks on Sunday, while current leader Dean Magee scored a driving double.
Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday night (July 2) with an 11-race program and a carryover in the .20-cent Pick-5 wager of $1,362.57.
(with files from Running Aces)