Running Aces featured two high-level overnight events on the Sunday, July 20 harness racing program.
The first was the $20,205 Open Handicap Trot in which a field of seven talented diamond-gaiters went into battle with All Champy (Mooney Svendsen), sent off as the 6-5 public choice from post five, while last week’s winner Escaper (Billy Mann) was given a 2-1 chance by bettors from post seven.
Double A Goldrush (Luke Plano) fired fastest off the gate to take the first lead, but both All Champy and Escaper wanted the front, and those three tussled for the top. Escaper drove to the lead and All Champy took a brief seat in the pocket as they registered a quick :27.2 opening fraction, but Svendsen was not content to sit and made a swift move to the top with All Champy just before the three-eighths pole.
All Champy benefitted from a breather to the half in :57.2 and was well in control as they rolled down the backside with Escaper and Double A Goldrush giving chase. Dylan The Great (Sean Smithpeters) made a first-over bid and Bringoverthemoney (Dean Magee) faced traffic near the back of the pack while trying to make a move. All Champy kicked it into high gear as they went past the three-quarters in 1:26.2 and was still full of trot in the lane, drawing away impressively for a four-length romp in 1:55 while Escaper was clearly second-best and Double A Goldrush held third.
The win was the fifth of the season in 13 tries for All Champy ($4.60), who is owned by Stephen Chambers and trained by Kathie Plested. The classy 11-year old son of Explosive Matter-Avista Hanover now boasts 49 career wins and earnings of $731,901 in 234 starts.
Hezzz A Wise Sky (Yankee Skyscraper-Gimmeazzzmooch) added another accomplishment to his impressive career resume, notching his 60th win in the $23,973 Dan Patch Free For All Preview.
Driver Dean Magee wasted no time in sending the talented eight-year-old stallion into action as they blasted off the car to take immediate control while Speaking Volumes (Rick Magee) landed in the pocket and heavy favourite Dale Yeah (Brady Jenson) got away third.
Hezzz A Wise Sky posted solid early fractions of :26.4 and :55.3 and faced a strong challenge from Dale Yeah who took a short lead near the 1:23 three-quarters while the other rivals could only chase the top pair. The battle continued in the lane as Dale Yeah desperately tried to get by Hezzz A Wise Sky, who dug in gamely and refused to relent. It was a thrilling battle right down to the line with Hezzz A Wise Sky ($6.40) prevailing by a half-length in 1:50.3. Speaking Volumes finished third.
Hezzz A Wise Sky is owned by Triple Zzz Stables and is trained by John Filomeno. He now shows $1,011,282 in career earnings in 153 outings and is four-for-18 this year.
Brady Jenson led the Sunday program with a grand slam of driving wins.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday night for a special ‘Christmas in July’ program benefitting Toys For Joy. Patrons who bring a new unwrapped toy to donate will receive a free racing program. First post is set for 6 p.m. (CDT).
(Running Aces)