Driver Braxten Boyd entered the record books at Running Aces on the Saturday afternoon (July 25) program, steering seven-year-old pacing mare Wizzel Stix to victory at just over 80-1 on the board, to record the second longest win mutuel in the track's history.
Winless in 16 outings this year, the public dismissed Wizzel Stix from post 7, seemingly forgetting some of her dramatic wins at Running Aces in seasons' past. Braxten Boyd was engaged for his first trip behind the free-legged pacer and would be her fifth different driver in as many starts.
Odds On Maria fired fastest from the gate from post 8 in the $3,000 conditioned pace, she was a 5-1 prospect. Peekaboo Tattoo got away sharply and sat the pocket. Getter Queen Flush pressured the pacesetter first over from before the half and all the way to the three-quarter mark.
Race-favourite Windmeupnwatchmego got rolling three wide with a sweeping move around the final turn and Braxten Boyd immediately launched wide behind her with Wizzel Stix. Those two mares circled the field and were in lockstep turning for home. However Wizzel Stix had a bit more momentum as they straightened for the wire and, while the favourite fought on, Wizzel Stix maintained a slight lead to the line, scoring by half a length in 1:56.4 for her first win of the season.
The stunning upset sparked a $378 exacta, a $4,836 trifecta that paid to all in third, and an extrapolated superfecta of $18,223.80. She paid $162.80 to win.
The winning owner of Wizzel Stix is Vikki Pfeilsticker and the winning trainer is Rick Bertrand.
Its A Marcs World (Nick Roland, $2.20) scored his second win in a row while posting a two-length tally in 1:55.1 in the featured $10,500 Minnesota-Sired three-year-old colts & geldings pace for owner Duane Roland, who had a perfect day at Running Aces with three winners from three starters. Trainer Jessica Johnson also had a perfect day, participating in five races and making five trips to the winner's circle. Driver Nick Roland also shared those same five winners.
Its Pacific Time (Rick Magee, $2.20) paced a lifetime best when winning the $10,500 Minnesota-Sired three-year-old filly pace in 1:54.4 for three wins in a row and 11 career victories overall. The winning owner is John Hendricks and the winning trainer is Joel Mc Danel. The margin of victory for Its Pacific Time was one-and-a-quarter lengths over Huftalookatdatfany and D Vigilante was beaten 12-and-three-quarter lengths in third.
Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (July 26) with first post at 1:00 p.m. (CDT) and features a carryover in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager of $14,377.78.
(Running Aces)