The Tuesday evening (Aug. 13) program at Running Aces was highlighted by two-year-old action, including an $11,500 featured event for Minnesota-sired pacing colts and geldings.
Bunkerhill Phil (Don Harmon) was the even-money favourite from an assigned post eight, coming into the event with six wins in a row in seven career starts. Alright Frankie (Rick Magee) drew post five and was looking to extend his own winning streak to three for trainer Justin Anfinson, and was also heavily supported in the wagering at 6-5. Alright Frankie was fastest from the gate and quickly established command, with The Dak Attack (Brady Jenson) getting away in the pocket and Get My Good Side (Steve Wiseman) floating away in third through sensible early fractions of :28.4 and :59.4, while Bunkerhill Phil launched a first-over bid just past the half.
Alright Frankie continued to pace strongly and faced no pressure, as Bunkerhill Phil failed to become a major threat. Alright Frankie ($4.80) posted a final half of :58 to get home 1-1/4 lengths ahead at the wire in 1:57.4 over Get My Good Side and The Dak Attack. The winner is a gelded son of In Over My Head out of the Towners Big Guy mare Shantytown Girl, and is owned by the partnership of Austin Patrick, Kaitlin Patrick, Jesse DeLong and T. Jeff Carey. The impressive freshman has now won four of eight lifetime races with four seconds, and earnings of $27,403.
Catchmeinadream ($9.60, Steve Wiseman) was a sharp-looking winner in the $11,500 two-year-old filly pace with a 3-1/4 length score in 2:01.1 over a sloppy track. She registered her first lifetime win for owners Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte and trainer Justin Anfinson.
The Minnesota-sired two-year-old trotting event had three divisions, with Go Margeaux (Don Harmon) taking the filly $4,600 “B” division in 2:05.4 over a sloppy surface, and Susies Sister ($3.40, Don Harmon) taking the $6,900 “A” division in 2:01.3. The $11,500 two-year-old male trot went to Hearduwhispermynam ($3.60, Steve Wiseman), with a sharp-closing effort from the back of the pack to score his second lifetime win in 2:00.4.
Rick Magee led the Tuesday program with four winners, while Don Harmon, Dean Magee and Steve Wiseman all turned in doubles on the night.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Saturday (Aug. 17) and offers a pair of carryovers: $1,810.64 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot, and $1,877.26 in the 50-cent Hi-5. First post on Saturday is 6 p.m. Central.
(Running Aces)