Running Aces’ Tuesday (July 24) live program featured a $13,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace, and a solid field of eight distaffers lined up to battle for weekly top honours.
Whatitdo Babyboo garnered a lot of support in the wagering, enough to be sent off as the slight favourite at just over even money (last week’s winner, Delightfully Wild, along with coupled entry-mate Bettor Lady, was sent off at just over 1-1).
As the starting gate accelerated away from the field, Kiss On The Lips (driven by Gerald Longo) left alertly from Post 7 to get the first call, but delightfully Wild also charged out from Post 8, and those two mares squared off around the first turn. Delightfully Wild and driver Mooney Svendsen was able to establish command right at the quarter pole, which registered a :27.4 opening fraction.
Delightfully Wild controlled the affair through the middle portions, with a moderate middle half (:56.2, and 1:25.1) before facing a strong challenge from longshot Jaded Dream (Brian Detgen), who pressured the leader from just past the five-eighths marker. Whatitdo Babyboo began to rally from the back of the pack and was closing fast as the field approached the top of the stretch.
The field was stacked up three-high heading for home, and it was Whatitdo Babyboo that was moving fastest of all. When the field straightened away, the four-year-old Voracious Hanover mare had cleared to the front and was drawing away to the wire. She got home two lengths in front of her rivals in 1:54.1, courtesy of a strong :27.1 final quarter. Jaded Dream held on for second over Delightfully Wild, who just edged out stablemate Bettor Lady (Dean Magee).
Whatitdo Babyboo ($4.20) is owned by Van Oterloo Stables and trained by Gordon Graham. Her Tuesday victory was her first win from five starts this season and her 15th career tally. The win pushed her lifetime bankroll to $112,051.
The $14,000 Minnesota-Sired Two-Year-Old Trot was won by the Steve Wiseman-driven Deweys Machine, a gelding by Ice Machine that is owned and trained by Justin Anfinson. He won in 2:03.4. Deweys Machine now has now recorded two wins from three career starts. The two-year-old pace was contested in two divisions, and it was Here Comes Da Boom ($5.00) and Burning Blaze ($2.60) that recorded victories in the affairs.
Wiseman picked up a driving grand slam on Tuesday, while Rick Magee and Lemoyne Svendsen each recorded driving doubles.
Live racing at Running Aces will return on Saturday (July 28) with a carryover of $4,510.90 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager. First post will be at 6:00 p.m. (CDT).
(With files from Running Aces)