The Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 25) harness racing program at Running Aces featured pacing and trotting freshmen, with two divisions on each gait.
The $13,800 "A" division for pacers was the featured purse of the day and drew a nice field of seven youngsters lining up to take on race-favourite Twilight Sunset who was sent off at 2-5 from post 2.
Driver Rick Magee left alertly with the favourite and he easily took the front, posting a :28.2 opener while Marc In The Box settled away second and Brooklyn Windup dropped in third. They remained that way as they passed the half in :58.3, and then May Day Maggie launched a first-over bid down the backside.
As they rounded the far turn, it was clear that the battle would be for second as Twilight Sunset ($2.80) opened on his rivals at every call, pacing home strong and checking in four-and-a-quarter lengths on top in 1:56.4 to remain undefeated in three career races. May Day Maggie was home second while Alilthundadownunda rallied late for third.
Twilight Sunset is a colt by Twilight Bonfire, owned by Janna Lee Rucker and trained by Brady Jenson.
The $9,200 "B" division went to Shesashowstopper (Jacob Cutting, $4.40), a filly by Its That Time who scored her first lifetime win in 1:59.4 over Twisted Bliss and Dontcallmefrieda. The winning filly is owned by Van Otterloo Stables and trained by Gordon Graham.
The $11,500 colts and geldings trot went to Rush To The Bank (Nick Roland, $2.60) for his fourth career win in nine starts. The Banker Volo gelding drew away from the field in the lane to score by four lengths in a career best 2:01.2 for owners Jeralene Roland and Vikki Rush. The winning trainer is Daniel Roland.
The $11,500 filly trot event went to The Royal Queen (Rick Magee, $3.40) who turned back heavy pressure from runner-up Its So Fluffy and then drew clear late to win by three lengths in 2:03.2 for her fifth wins in 10 career starts. The winning filly is by Tom Ridge and is owned and trained by Justin Anfinson.
The $9,500 Open Handicap Trot went to Mandeville (Nick Roland, $4.40) in 1:54.1 for two wins in a row. Justlikehim was second and Bordogna picked up third. The winner is an eight-year-old gelded son of Majestic Son and is owned and trained by Gerald Longo.
The $9,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace was dominated by the two New Zealand imports, and went to Motu Moonbeam N (Dean Magee, $13.00) - who got up by a neck right on the wire to upset race favorite My Kiwi Lady N in 1:53.1 for a new career mark. The winner is owned by Jose Cervantes and trained by Edward Hernandez.
Top drivers Nick Roland and Rick Magee dominated the program on Tuesday-Roland completed a Grand Slam while Magee posted a Hat-Trick. Trainer Edward Hernandez picked up a double for the second consecutive program in a row, and Gerald Longo also completed a training double on the Tuesday card.
Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Saturday (Aug. 29) with first post at 1:00 p.m. (CDT) and will feature a carryover in the 20-cent Pick 5 Jackpot wager of $2,553.02.
(Running Aces)