The harness racing program at Running Aces on Thursday, Aug. 1 featured the Minnesota-sired sophomore pacers with three divisions going for a total purse of $59,028.
In the $23,611 male 'A' division Flickadawrist (pictured above) stole the show and lit up the board with a career best 1:52.2 effort while dismissed by players as a 40-1 longshot.
Driver Jeff Hunt was patient in the early stages with the son of Wind Me Up while heavy favourite Fast Larry (James Kennedy) laid down very fast fractions of :27.1, :55 and 1:22.3.
Hunt got rolling from fifth as they headed into the far turn and was third near the top of the lane but quickly drew close to the leader who was feeling the effects of the fractions.
Flickadawrist ($82.00) strolled on by to take the lead and draw clear for a 1-3/4 length victory while posting the fastest final quarter (:28) in the field. Celebrity Status surged late to get up for second over Fast Larry in a tight photo.
The winner is owned by Van Otterloo Stables and is trained by Bob Lems.
Delco Irene refused to lose in the $23,611 'A' division for fillies, posting a gutsy performance to make it two in a row and post her fifth win of the season.
Driver Brady Jenson left intently from post four with the heavy favourite and they made the top before the quarter before yielding to Apple Juice (Jacob Cutting) near the three-eighths.
Jenson was not content to sit in with the daughter of Wind Me Up so he orchestrated the give-and-go to put his filly back on the lead and they regained control as they headed down the backstretch.
Deja Vu Babyboo (Todd Warren) was the next to take a shot at the leader and they battled stride for stride around the far turn with Deja Vu Babyboo taking the lead as they straightened in the lane before Delco Irene surged again in deep stretch and Apple Juice tipped wide to join the battle.
When the dust settled Delco Irene ($2.60) had successfully thwarted defeat and she got home 2-1/2 lengths the best in 1:53.3 while Deja Vu Babyboo held second over Apple Juice.
Semicolon posted a sharp closing effort to capture victory in the $11,806 sophomore 'B' division in a career best 1:55.3 mile.
Dean Magee was patient early and was seventh by more than 10 lengths at the half before launching Semicolon into action as they headed into the far turn.
They made steady progress and then did their best work in the stretch, surging on the outside to clear the field and post a two-length victory over Bapas Double Knot and Suddenly Famous.
It was the third career win for Semicolon ($3.60) for owner Rick Davelaar and trainer Eddie Hernandez.
Two Pistol Annie and James Kennedy posted another impressive performance to capture the $21,528 Mares Open Handicap pace for the second week in a row, prevailing in an exciting battle with Illusion Seelster (Cutting) in the 1:51.3 mile.
Fox Valley Leah (Warren) had the lead early before Two Pistol Annie made the front and then grudgingly gave way to Illusion Seelster.
In the lane the top two battled again but Two Pistol Annie ($5.00) had the most kick late and drew clear for the one-length score while Fox Valley Leah held third.
The winner is owned by Dave Dobbelmann and is trained by Edwin Quevedo.
Brady Jenson led the Thursday program with three driving wins while Dean Magee and trainer Edwin Quevedo both posted doubles.
Live harness racing returns to Running Aces for a big 12-race program on Sunday, Aug. 4 which will feature the $50,000 USD Dan Patch FFA pace as well as Pepsi Family Night with specials and food trucks, trout fishing, Sole Survivor contest, jog cart rides and more. First post is set for 6 p.m. (CDT).
(Running Aces)