The Sunday night (August 4) program at Running Aces featured the $69,444 Dan Patch FFA pace final as well as Minnesota-sired sophomore trotters and the weekly Open Handicap trot.
Muskateer Hanover was the talk of the track apron as well as the tote board in this year’s Dan Patch final after his all-time track record performance in his July 21 elimination heat and he was sent off as the 1-10 favourite from post five in the seven horse affair.
Trainer/driver Brady Jenson wasted no time in putting the talented son of Sweet Lou into play, firing fastest from the gate to quickly take command of the field as they headed into the first turn and getting well settled on the lead through a fast opening panel in :26.2. Tuggin On my Heart (Jacob Cutting) was the second choice on the board at 6-1 and also left quickly from the gate from post six while Hezzz A Wise Sky (Dean Magee) got away swiftly as well to secure the pocket.
Jenson and Muskateer Hanover ripped off an opening half mile in an eye-opening :53.2 while Tuggin On My Heart continued to pursue the leader from first over and drew closer as they headed toward the far turn. After posting a :28.2 “breather” in the third panel, Muskateer Hanover kicked back into high gear and started to pull away from his rivals with Hezzz A Wise Sky moving into second and the rest of the field battling for third.
Muskateer Hanover checked in a five length winner in 1:49.2 while Hezzz A Wise Sky was a clear second and No Lou Zing (Mooney Svendsen) got up for third ahead of Tuggin On My Heart.
No Lou Zing was subsequently disqualified and placed sixth for causing interference to Macs Marvel in the first turn. That moved Tuggin On My Heart up to third and Ynotthishos (Nick Roland) up to fourth.
Muskateer Hanover ($2.20) is owned by Mulligan Stables and Calcutta Stable. He now shows seven wins and earnings of $250,635 this season.
DP Freedoms Chrome (James Gould, $2.10) delivered as the 1-20 favourite to capture his seventh straight win in the $23,611 Minnesota-sired sophomore male ‘A’ trot in 1:58 with longshot Finale Jetta (Jenson) getting second and Wherever Rio Goes (Sean Smithpeters) finishing third.
The winner is owned by Aimes Racing and is trained by Elvin Zimmerman.
Al-Mar Puredelight (James Kennedy, $27.00) posted a career best mile in 1:58.4 to win the sophomore filly ‘A’ trot by 3-1/4 lengths over Spicymoneymaker (Dean Magee) and Banker’s Grace (Rick Magee).
The winner is owned by Jay and Eric De Long and Terry Knothe and is trained by Justin Anfinson.
Piggly Wiggly (Nick Roland, $4.20) delivered as the favourite in the $11,806 sophomore ‘B’ trot with a career best 1:59.4 win over SB Eye Candy and Chicora. It was the third career win for Piggly Wiggly for owner Set The Pace Racing and trainer Roland.
Majestic J (Elson Miller, $10.00) captured victory in the $21,528 Open Handicap trot in a new lifetime mark of 1:54.2, holding race favourite Bringoverthemoney (Dean Magee) at bay while Domovoy (Jacob Cutting) was home third.
The victory was the fifth win of the year and 12th career win for Majestic J, who is owned by Stephanie Longo and is trained by Miller.
Driver James Kennedy had a double while both Elson Miller and Nick Roland had both driving and training doubles on the Sunday card.
Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday (August 6) for a nine-race program that will feature a carryover of $19,579.11 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager which starts in race five.
(Running Aces)