After six consecutive runner-up finishes, trainer-driver Jason ‘Ricky Bobby’ Ryan was finally able to get Six Gun to the Running Aces winner’s circle following Tuesday night’s $9,500 featured Open Handicap Pace.
With the triumph the five-year-old gray son of Gunthatwonthewest also shot past the $100,000 career earnings plateau. Ryan settled Six Gun into the pocket until the three-quarter mile marker then angled the winner to the outside to first collar and pass pacesetter Firstclassallthway and then hold off the late charge of the place and show finishers, Chewy Baca (Rick Magee) and Mayfield Hanover (Ridge Warren). The quick 1:52 clocking lowered Six Gun’s lifetime best by over two full seconds for owner Anthony Artuso.
A race earlier Ryan had already captured the $9,000 Fillies and Mares Open Handicap with his own Passion R Virginie. Despite starting from the rail, Ryan elected to get away fifth in the compact six-horse field, then launched a first-up attack which started before the halfway point and resulted in maintaining a half-length lead throughout the stretch to beat Show Runner (Tim Maier) and Tykesa Moon (Steve Wiseman) in 1:53.2.
Ryan had a third trainer-driver success with Machs Little Filly in a $3,500 distaff claiming race. The hat trick for the Canadian reinsman gave him 13 training wins in the first 23 nights of the summer Running Aces meet to join David Flinn and Tim Brown atop the local trainer’s standings. The 24-year-old driver has accumulated 23 triumphs in his first year in action in Minnesota, moving him into a second place tie with Rick Magee among teamsters. Luke Plano, the nation’s top UDRS percentage driver, is in first place with 27 wins.
(Running Aces)