The $12,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace was the featured event on the Thursday night (July 8) card at Running Aces, and while the contest looked to be strictly a rematch between Anna B (Brady Jenson, 1-1) and Always Be Lucy (Nick Roland, 2-1) Hottieonthehorizon and driver Luke Plano failed to get that memo.
Favourite Anna B set the early pace, with Always Be Lucy riding in the pocket through a solid :56.3 opening half mile. Plano steered Hottieonthehorizon to the outside as they straightened down the backside and she made a sharp brush to draw alongside the leader as they rounded the far turn, taking the lead just past the three-quarter mile marker. As they turned in for home, Hottieontherhorizon was in full stride and drew clear to the finish, checking in 2-1/2 lengths ahead of her rivals with a very sharp mile in 1:52.2 for her 20th career win. Oneida Blue Chip (Mooney Svendsen) rallied from off the pace to pick up second and Bearly Behavin also closed sharply to grab third. The winning owners are Leslie Godlien and Rick Lancaster, and the winning trainer is Nick Roland.
The $7,100 three-year-old colt and gelding pace went to Alilthundadownunda (Nick Roland), who picked up his fifth straight win. The son of Malak Uswaad N led at every call in the 1:56 mile. SD Watchmenow came up a nose short for another sharp second, and Gee Wilikers was a clear third. Alilthundadownunda ($2.60) is owned by Set The Pace Racing and trained by Nick Roland.
The $7,100 three-year-old filly pace went to JK My Girl (Jacob Cutting, $12.60), who made a sharp mid-race move to take control and draw away from the field to win by a commanding 5-1/2 lengths in 1:56.2 mile for her first pari-mutuel win. The winner is a daughter of JK Endofanera out of the Rocknroll Hanover mare JK Fannie owned and trained by Tony Huffman. Anotherblazinwoman (Rick Magee) was second and Seventimesamiracle (Nick Roland) picked up third money.
Driver Luke Plano led the Thursday program with three wins, while Roland posted a double. Roland also registered the lone training double on the card.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (July 11) with first post at 6:05 p.m.
(Running Aces)