Top pacing distaffers were in the spotlight at Running Aces on Thursday night (July 7) and Always Choose Chip stole the show in the $16,500 Mares Open Handicap.
Brady Jenson chose to sit back in the early stages of the contest with Always Choose Chip who was sent off as the 3-5 public choice. They settled in fifth while Hottieonthehorizon and Avaya Hanover traded the early lead, posting moderate early fractions of :27.4 and :57.1 while Tenthousand Angels followed in third.
Rockin With Lou came first up and Jenson maneuvered his mare into the second-over position as they raced down the backstretch before the field bunched around the far turn. Always Choose Chip was loaded with pace and tipped off the cover as they straightened for home to take the lead and post a one-length tally in a seasonal-best 1:53 mile.
Hottieonthehorizon was placed second and Shirley Skip Shady was placed third after Rockin With Lou was disqualified for interference.
The winner is a four-year-old daughter of Always A Virgin and is also owned and trained by Jenson. She paid $3.20 to win.
Rojo Caliente made it two wins in a row with a sharp looking score in the $13,000 Mares Open II Handicap with Dean Magee in the sulky.
After getting away fourth from post 3, Magee activated the daughter of Time To Roll just past the half with a quick first-over brush to the lead and was never in doubt from that point. Rollin Withholly A saved ground and surged late for the second spot and Shesureissomething ground a third-place finish.
The winning margin was two lengths and the 1:53.1 mile was a seasonal best for Rojo Caliente, who is owned by Craig Rhodes and Jim Ballinger and trained by Brett Ballinger. She paid $5.20 to win.
Manasquan Beach made it two wins in a row to capture the $9,700 Freshman Open Pace in 1:58.2 with Dean Magee in the bike for trainer Dan Roland and owners Kara Morales and Barry Bresnahan. He returned $3.40 as the public choice.
Stevies Girl was a fast-closing second on lifetime debut and Hollywood Double, who was also making his first start, was home in third.
Kitty Wampus posted a career best win in 1:53.2 when she closed from off the pace to get up at the wire over favourites JK My Girl and Give Me This Dance in the $9,700 Sophomore Open Pace. Lemoyne Svendsen piloted the $16.80 winner.
The winner is a daughter of Its That Time and is owned by her breeder Van Oterloo Stables and is also trained by Brett Ballinger.
The 12-year-old pacing mare Kiss On The Lips made her 300th start on the track in a $10,000 conditioned event and rallied late to pick up second in 1:54.3 after being locked at the pylons most of the way. The daughter of Dontgetinmyway has posted 55 wins, 58 seconds and 40 thirds and has earned $348,476 in her long career. She is owned by Peg Hoffman and is trained by Gerald Longo.
Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (July 10) for Pepsi Family Night and will feature a carryover of $4,348.76 in the Pick-5 Jackpot wager. First post is at 7 p.m. (CDT).
(Running Aces)