One of the featured events on the Tuesday evening (Aug. 14) program at Running Aces was a $10,200 Minnesota-sired two-year-old pace, billed as yet another matchup of two dominant freshmen in Burning Blaze and Windmeupnwatchmego. Burning Blaze ($3.80) took advantage of a pocket trip and swept late to score a 1:55.2 win over his rival.
Despite the outside post 8, Windmeupnwatchmego (Dean Magee) was fastest of all from the gate and was able to cross and clear in front of Burning Blaze (Rick Magee), who left quickly from post 2. They settled into those positions after a quick :27.3 quarter, and positions remained status quo for seven-eighths of the mile until Burning Blaze powered from the pocket in the lane, and swept by in the final 50 yards to secure a three-quarter length victory in 1:55.2.
The victory was the third in five starts for Burning Blaze, who had just missed by a neck last out and was a length short two starts back in what was a track-record 1:54.1 mile for filly Windmeupnwatchmego. Burning Blaze, a gelding by Wind Me Up, is trained by Justin Anfinson for owners Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte and Edward Gutin.
MD Magic ($5.00, Dean Magee) picked up his third win in a row in the $14,000 Minnesota-sired three-year-old trot, converting a pocket trip to sweep by early leader Deweys Machine (Steve Wiseman) in the homestretch and post a new lifetime mark by 1-3/4 lengths in 2:00.4. MD Magic, a son of Braggart, now has four wins in five lifetime starts and has earned $28,300 for owners Set The Pace Racing LLC and Trainer Nick Roland.
Gold Star Mysti (James Yoder) delivered another sharp winning performance as the heavy 1-5 choice in the $11,000 Mares Open Pace. Kiss On The Lips (Dean Magee) had the early lead after sprinting away from post 2, and Gold star Mysti pressed on past the :28.2 quarter before establishing the lead with a lap to go. From there, Gold Star Mysti was never in doubt, keeping her rivals at bay the rest of the way and arriving home 1-1/4 lengths ahead of Kiss On The Lips and a fast closing Whatitdo Babyboo in 1:53.4 for her second straight win. She is owned by Gold Star Farm and trained by Margaret Audley.
Live racing continues three nights a week at Running Aces, with post times at 6:00 p.m. CDT on Saturdays and Sundays, and 7:00 p.m. CDT on Tuesdays. This Saturday night (Aug. 18) will feature a carryover of $17,563.27 in the 20-cent Jackpot Pick-5 wager.
(Running Aces)