Fillister Photo stole the show with an impressive stretch rally to capture the $23,611 Mares Open Handicap Pace on Thursday, Aug. 20 at Running Aces as a 12-1 upset winner.
Driver Casey Leonard was unhurried with Fillister Photo in the early stages of the affair and floated away in seventh position while Mother Mary (driven by Rick Magee) and Premier Desirey (Dean Magee) battled for the top through a fast opening half mile that saw fractions of :26.4 and :55 with Miss May Bell (Nick Roland) tracking from third and Wish I Had Thyme (Luke Plano) traveling in fourth.
The top two separated from the rest down the backstretch before Wish I Had Thyme launched a first-over bid heading into the final turn and past the 1:23.4 third checkpoint, providing cover for both Overthemoonforyou (Mooney Svensden) and Fillister Photo who were now in fifth and sixth, respectively.
The field began to fan across the track as they straightened for the stretch drive and both Mother Mary and Premier Desirey dug in gamely, locked in battle as they approached the wire. Leonard found a clear path on the far outside with Fillister Photo to emerge from the pack and surge strongest of all to the wire to post a one-length tally in 1:53.
Mother Mary and Premier Desirey could not be separated for the place position.
Fillister Photo is a six-year-old daughter of Easy Again-Filly Buster who now shows 29 career wins and earnings of $334,675 for owner Scorpio Stables of Davenport, Ia. and trainer Robert Lems. She returned $26.40 to win.
Swinging On Over (Three Of Clubs-Swinging Again) posted a career best 1:54 mile to capture the $23,611 Minnesota-sired sophomore male 'A' pace with Adam Hauser in the bike for trainer Justin Anfinson. The three-year-old rallied impressively from fifth at the top of the lane to win by a neck over CL Dancer and Cool Mr Cool. He paid $32 to win.
Sparkling Chardonnay (Aracache Hanover-Pinot Grigio) and trainer-driver Nick Roland delivered as the favourites in the $23,611 'A' pace for her sixth career win, a 1:56 tally by 1-3/4 lengths over Starstruck Fool and Thiskidcanfly. Her win return was $3.40.
Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday, Aug. 23 and features a special visit from Patty Strand and the Hoof Beat Therapeutic Center, a program that employs retired Standardbreds from Running Aces in a therapy program for children, adults and the elderly. One of the stars of the program is retired pacer Firedrake, who won the Dan Patch Free-For-All at Running Aces in 2017 and he will be on site near the winner's circle on Sunday to meet racing fans.
Sunday is also Pepsi Family Night with specials and kid's activities, trout fishing, food trucks and a Sole Survivor handicapping contest. First post for the 10-race program is set for 6 p.m. (CDT).
(with files from Running Aces)