Running Aces’ Saturday (July 20) program featured two $25,000 races to kick off Dan Patch Weekend, the track’s biggest weekend of the summer at the Minnesota oval.
After having started from Post 2 in the $25,000 Ron Banks Pace, the Brett Ballinger-trained and Rick Magee-driven Stuckey Dote ($6.60) took a pocket ride through the fractions (:26.1, :54.2, 1:22.1) and went on to record a two-length victory in 1:51.1. Post 8 starter King Of The Crop finished second for driver Steve Wiseman. Holdingallthecards, who cut the fractions from Post 3 for pilot Dean Magee, held on for third. Stuckey Dote is a six-year-old Voracious Hanover gelding that is owned by Merlin Van Oterloo. The gelding has now won six races this year and 33 over the course of his career.
After having started from Post 4 in the $25,000 Vernon Devine Trot, the Don Harmon-trained and driven My Uncle Cuz ($9.80) took a pocket trip through the fractions (:28.1, :58.1, 1:26) before getting up to post a one-length win in 1:56. Post 2 starter Banker Volo had done all the work on the front end before finishing second for driver Tim Maier. Rail starter French Eclipse, who raced third along the rail in the mile for pilot Rick Magee, finished third. My Uncle Cuz is five-year-old gelded son of ABC Garland that has won three of his ten starts this year. My Uncle Cuz is owned by Krista Harmon.
Windmeupnwatchmego ($2.20, Dean Magee) picked up her fifth win in six seasonal starts with a 1:54.4 score in the $11,500 Minnesota-sired three-year-old filly pace. SB Bodacious ($3.80, Rick Magee) scored his fourth win of the year in the $11,500 Minnesota-sired three-year-old colts and geldings pace with a 1:54.2 mile.
Dean Magee recorded four wins during the card and Rick Magee tallied a hat trick.
Live racing will return to Running Aces on Sunday (July 21) with a 12-race program that will feature the track’s $50,000 Dan Patch FFA Pace.
(With files from Running Aces)