Trotters were in the spotlight at Running Aces on Sunday (July 25) with three Open events carded for the square-gaiters on the eight-race program.
The $12,000 Open Handicap is the regular Sunday feature, and this week’s edition went to post with a field of five. All American N was the heavy public choice in the contest and was looking for three in a row. He left to try for the lead from post 5, but lost all chance with a miscue in the opening eighth of a mile which left him well behind the field.
Hearduwhispermynam was away fast from the inside post and Bordogna was also away sharply to emerge with the lead as Hearduwhispermynam followed in the pocket and Pridecrest sat in third. After posting favourable fractions of :28.2 and :58.4, it was apparent that it was going to be tough to catch Bordogna as he trotted strong and opened a three-length margin down the backstretch. Bordogna posted a :56.3 final half to keep his rivals in chase mode, and he coasted under the line with a 2-1/2 length margin over Hearduwhispermynam with another length back to Pridecrest in the 1:55.2 mile.
It was the fourth winning trip this season, and 24th victory overall, for the five-year-old stallion by Trixton who is owned by Cathy Dessert and Ken Stauffer and is trained by Justin Anfinson. Rick Magee drove the $22.80 winner.
The $9,300 Open II Handicap Trot went to Bringoverthemoney, who got away third from post 4 and then came first-up on the outside to grind to the lead near the top of the stretch. Once on the lead, he held gamely to the wire for a half-length victory over SD Eliminator in a career-best 1:55.4 mile. It was the second win in six starts this season and 23rd tally for Bringoverthemoney, who is owned by Joshua Horvat and trained by Katie Horvat. Mooney Svendsen piloted the $8.80 winner.
The Three-Year-Old Open Trot went to The Royal Queen who delivered as the big favourite in the $7,100 affair. Driver Rick Magee worked a perfect pocket trip behind Hide Your Banker and emerged in the lane with plenty of trot to go after the leader. Those two battled to the beam and The Royal Queen was able to get up for a half-length score in 1:59.2 for a lifetime mark. The winner is a daughter of Tom Ridge and is owned and trained by Justin Anfinson. She paid $2.40 to win.
Rick Magee led the Sunday program with a driving hat trick while Mooney Svendsen posted a double. Justin Anfinson also posted a training double on the card.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday (July 27) with first post at 6:05 p.m. (CDT) and will feature a carryover of $9,395.23 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager.
(Running Aces)