Gold Star Yoder became the first two-year-old colt pacer to win at Running Aces when he established a 1:57 track record when winning Sunday, Aug. 12 on debut.
The freshman son of Mysticism showed ability in training miles and impressed in his qualifying race on Aug. 7, finishing second while pacing a final half mile in :55.3. The betting public recognized his abilities as well, sending him off as the 2-5 choice. Gold Star Yoder, affectionately named for his part-owner and trainer-driver James (JD) Yoder, is also owned by Gold Star Farm. He paid $2.80 to win.
The Yoder barn turned in yet another track record on Sunday night when their four-year-old stud trotter Ideal Jesse turned in another gate-to-wire win and stopped the clock at 1:56 to lower the track record that he set just eight days prior by a fifth of a second. Ideal Jesse, by Jailhouse Jesse, is owned by Cheyenne Ray (Yoder). Ideal Jesse also owns the track record for three-year-old colt trotters of 1:56.1 and his victory on Sunday was career win No. 10.
The two track record miles were part of a Grand-Slam for James Yoder, his second four-win night this week.
SB Fine And Dandy pulled the upset in the $8,500 Minnesota-Sired geldings trot by converting a pocket trip into his third win career in a lifetime-best 1:57.2. His neck victory snapped a six-race winning streak for the heavy favourite Bringoverthemoney, who had led at every step but the last. SB Fine And Dandy, a son of Claudius Augustus, owned by Susan Holm-Johansen and Deborah Hofsaess and trained by Ulf Holm-Johansen. The $24.20 winner driven by JD Yoder has earned $15,744 so far this season.
Dekker delivered her fourth-consecutive win as she continues to dominate the three-year-old filly division of the Minnesota-Sired trotting events. Sent off at 1-9 as part of an entry with stablemate and runner-up Mimi Marguerite, Dekker has now won seven of her last eight races. She won by three-and-a-half lengths on Sunday in a career-best time of 1:58.1. Dekker, returning $2.20 to win, is owned by Jesse, Eric and Benjamin De Long, and is trained by Justin Anfinson. Rick Magee was in the sulky.
The 50-cent Late Pick-4 wager paid $4,469.45 on Sunday night and the 20-cent Pick 5 went unsolved. The Pick-5 carryover now stands at $13,890.15 for Tuesday, Aug. 14 along with a carryover in the 50-cent Hi-5 wager of $1,991.44. First post on Tuesday is 7:00 p.m. (CDT).
(With files from Running Aces)