Top-level trotters were featured on the Sunday night (July 11) program at Running Aces, with two Open Handicap fields going postward on the eight-race card.
The $12,000 Open Handicap event was scratched down to a talented field of four, and Mandeville was fastest off of the gate to get the first call at the :29.3 quarter mile before Bordogna made a quick move for the lead before the three-eighths marker. Bordogna then controlled the tempo and posted a middle half in a moderate :58.3 while Pridecrest challenged the lead and Mandeville and Hearduwhispermynam saved ground. Bordogna led the field into the stretch and trotted strong to the wire, but Hearduwhispermynam and driver Brady Jenson angled to the far outside with a furious late charge to just get up on the wire by a nose in 1:56.2 for a seasonal mark.
Jenni King is the winning owner and trainer for the four-year-old son of Braggart, who now has thirteen career wins and has banked $114,577 to date. He paid $13.20 to win.
The $9,300 Open II Handicap went to SD Eliminator who got away sixth from post 3 in a bulky nine-horse field. Bringthegold made sharp early fractions of :27.4 and :56.4 while Major Al Mar applied heavy pressure and Teachmehowtotory sat the pocket. Bringoverthemoney came first-up down the backstretch and SD Eliminator picked up the live cover.
As they straightened for the wire, SD Eliminator surged up to take the lead while Teachmehowtotory closed in the passing lane and French Eclipse rallied down the center of the track. SD Eliminator was fastest to the wire in a thrilling finish in 1:57, checking in 1 1/4 lengths ahead of Teachmehowtotory and French Eclipse for a career mark.
The winning owners are Sarah Solheid and Brian Detgen and Detgen is also the trainer. Detgen also drove the $47.40 winner.
Driver Luke Plano registered a double on the Sunday program.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday night (July 13) with first post at 6:05 p.m. (CDT) and will feature a pair of carryover pools: $1,545.38 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot, and $3,184.02 in the 50-cent Hi-5.
(Running Aces)