The Saturday afternoon (Aug. 1) program at Running Aces featured the $10,000 Open Handicap Pace with a very talented field of nine horses and geldings lining up behind the gate to square off for weekly top honours.
Prologue was first to strike the front from post 6 and led through the :28 opening quarter before Hoo Nien A swept by just past the quarter mile and took control of affairs.
Once on top, Hoo Nien A served notice that he was boss of the field, posting an honest :28.3 second panel and then throwing down :27 in the third to open by two lengths and keep the field chasing.
Hoo Nien A closed out his dominating performance with a final quarter in :27.3 to seal the deal and stop the timer in 1:51.1 for his second-straight win. Prologue crossed the wire a length back in second, but was placed last for a pylon violation—bringing lonshots Elusive Image (31-1) and Whatchyastarinat (14-1) onto the board for second and third, respectively.
The feature race win was the second of the season and 21st victory overall for the gelded eight-year-old son of Always A Virgin, who is also owned and trained by driver Chris Scicluna. He paid $8.20 to win.
The $10,500 Minnesota-sired sophomore filly pace went to Its Pacific Time, delivering as the heavy-favourite for three in a row, and posting a career mark of 1:53.4 in her 12th win for owner John Hendricks and trainer Joel Mc Danel. Rick Magee drove the $2.40 winner.
The Minnesota-sired sophomore pacing males also went for $10,500 with a field of seven facing the gate and heavy-favourite Its A Marcs World posted another sharp win in 1:53 for a career-best mile while Bunkerhill Phil was a very sharp second once again. The winning owner is Duane Roland and the winning trainer is Jessica Johnson. It was also the third win in a row for Its A Marcs World. Nick Roland drove the $2.10 winner.
Dean Magee led the Saturday program with a driving double.
Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (Aug. 2) with first post at 1:00 p.m. (CDT) and will feature a carryover in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager of $18,701.66.
(Running Aces)