Moonlit Night opened up the Thursday night (July 6) harness racing program at Running Aces with a convincing win in the $10,500 freshman Open Pace in 1:58.4 to establish a maiden mark.
Highly regarded in the seven-horse affair, the filly by Easy Again was sent off as the 9-5 second choice in the contest while El Perrandero Q (Jacob Cutting) was the favourite by just a few dollars. Driver Luke Plano sent his charge to the lead from post six and Moonlit Night had no trouble landing on top while Terror You Apart (Brad Irvine) picked up the pocket trip and Charming Kara (Rick Magee) challenged from the outside.
The fractions were moderate (:29.4, 1:00.4 and 1:30) and the leader was always comfortably in command. Delco Irene (Todd Warren) was a fresh first-over challenger in the middle stages but couldn't get by the pacesetter and Charming Kara dropped back. Moonlit Night ($5.80) was well in hand through the lane to register a two-length tally and El Perrandero Q rallied late to pick up second money over Terror You Apart and Delco Irene.
The winner is owned by Robin Clements and trained by Quentin Schneider.
Disaronno Hill (Plano, $9.60) captured the $18,500 Mares Open Handicap Pace with a very sharp gate-to-wire score from post eight.
The daughter of Racing Hill was never in doubt in the affair and checked in 2-1/2 lengths ahead of both JK My Girl (Warren) and Wonder Of Love (Mooney Svendsen), who finished in a dead-heat for second in the 1:52.1 mile.
With her third victory of her five-year-old campaign, the winner also eclipsed the $250,000 mark in career earnings. She is owned by Terrence Smith and trained by Williams Hernandez.
Trainer/driver Elson Miller posted a triple on the night, including a sweep of the late Double. He is also the owner of all three winners.
Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (July 9) with first post at 7 p.m. (CDT) and will feature a $1,657.53 carryover in the 50-cent Early Hi-5 wager and a carryover of $20,337.60 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager.
(Running Aces)