Trotters were in the harness racing spotlight at Running Aces on Sunday (Aug. 1) with two divisions of the Minnesota-Sired sophomore trot going postward for $12,500 in each split.
The filly division drew a field of seven with heavy 1-2 favourite Coatofmanycolors drawing the outside and trying for her sixth-straight win. Roland sent the public choice to the front at the start and faced an early challenge from Its So Fluffy, who took control and led until the backstretch before Roland and Coatofmanycolors surged past to re-claim command.
Company came as soon as they cleared back to the lead as Rick Magee was on the attack with The Royal Queen, and the two fillies squared off for the final quarter-mile. As they straightened for home, it was clearly The Royal Queen ($7.20) who had the most trot to the wire, and she drew clear to post a two-length victory in a career-best 1:58.3 mile while Coatofmanycolors held second and Its So Fluffy checked in third. The winner is by Tom Ridge and has now won two races in a row for owner-trainer Justin Anfinson.
The $12,500 male division went to SB Sampsons Ridge, who dominated the affair after taking control just past the quarter pole from heavy favourite Rush To The Bank after that one was forced to relinquish the lead and follow along in the pocket. The leader posted a clip of :29.3, 1:01.1 and 1:31.1, and SB Sampsons Ridge had plenty left in the tank to defeat Rush To The Bank by 1-1/2 lengths in 2:01 for trainer-driver Rick Magee. Oh Danny Boy was home in third. The winner is a gelding, also by Tom Ridge, owned by Mikaela Del Giudice.
The $7,100 Minnesota-Sired four-year-olds and up trot went to SB Madam Secretary (Tony Kerwood, $7.00) for her first win of the season. The four-year-old mare (also by Tom Ridge) swept from the back of the pack in the final quarter mile to surge past her rivals and get up for a half-length score in a career-best 1:57 mile. Teachmehowtotory was home second and race favorite SD Eliminator checked in third. The winner is owned by Susan Holm-Johansen and Deborah Hofsaess and is trained by Ulf Holm-Johansen.
The $12,000 Open Handicap Trot feature went to heavy-favourite Bordogna, giving him two wins in a row. All American N controlled the event while Bordogna kept close tabs in the pocket and Mandeville sat third. In the homestretch, it was clearly a two-horse affair as All American N tried to fend off Bordogna ($3.20), who rallied in the passing lane and nailed the victory by a nose in 1:56.2 for his 25th tally. Hearduwhispermynam was third best in the six horse contest. The winner is a five-year-old stallion by Trixton, owned by Cathy Dessert and Ken Stauffer and trained by Justin Anfinson. Nick Roland sat in the bike.
Drivers Rick Magee, Nick Roland and Dean Magee all registered doubles on the card, while trainers Ariel Alvarez and Justin Anfinson each posted a double on Sunday.
Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday (Aug. 5) with first post at 6:05 p.m. (CDT) and will feature a carryover of $12,257.47 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager.
(Running Aces)