The Saturday night (Aug. 18) feature at Running Aces was the $12,000 Open Handicap Pace for horses and geldings, with a talented field of seven facing the starter for weekly top honours.
Stuckey Dote (Rick Magee) was sent off as the 7-5 favourite from post 6, but was not a factor on this night. Holdingallthecards (Dean Magee), last week’s winner and looking to repeat as 3-1 second choice from post 3, fired quickly from the gate to snag the lead away from Firedrake (Brian Detgen), who had charged to the front from post 5. After establishing command just before the :27.4 quarter, Holdingallthecards held firm control of affairs with a moderate :57.2 middle half, keeping just enough in the tank to fend off a stretch rally by Firedrake.
Holdingallthecards ($8.60) held sway with a half-length tally in 1:52.3 over Firedrake and Whatchastarinat (James Yoder) for his fourth win in 22 starts this season. The winner is owned by William and Richard McIntyre and is trained by Denise Maier.
The $14,000 Minnesota-sired three-year-old pacing event went to Dream Chasin ($25.00), who picked up his fifth win of the year in 13 starts with a 1:55.4 score from gate to wire with William Hernandez in the bike. The impressive son of Fancy Schmancy has now banked $27,465 this season for owners-breeders Greg and Michelle Budach.
Place At The Beach (Dean Magee) picked up her seventh win in her last nine starts by capturing the $9,000 mares claiming handicap pace in 1:55.3 for her 11th triumph of the year. The Minnesota-bred eight-year-old by Place To Be has now won 42 career races and $163,618, and paid $3.80 as the favourite. She is owned by Peg Hoffman and trained by Gerald Longo.
Dean Magee posted another big night with four wins on the Saturday program, as he continues to be the hottest-hitting driver over the last few weeks, climbing from fifth in the standings to a very strong second in that time period.
Live racing continues at Running Aces on Sunday (Aug. 19) with first post at 6:00 p.m. CDT and a carryover of $18,547.05 in the Jackpot Pick-5 wager.
(Running Aces)