The Sunday afternoon (Aug. 9) harness racing program at Running Aces featured the three-year-old Minnesota-sired trotters in three divisions, going for a total purse of $23,000.
The $11,500 "A" division went to post with seven sophomores on the gate, and the wagering favourites were Teachmehowtotory (1-1) followed by SB Madam Secretary (9-5) and Hearduwhispermynam (4-1).
The going was sloppy after heavy rains moved in during and after Race 1.
Hearduwhispermynam and SD Eliminator both left alertly from their inside posts, but Hearduwhispermynam was able to secure the lead quickly from post 2 and took control right near the :30 first quarter.
Once on the lead, driver Rick Magee stepped on the gas pedal and opened two lengths on the field before a :58.3 half. Hearduwhispermynam continued to step lively and open more ground over the field, passing three-quarters in 1:28 and then coasting home in :30 to stop the timer in 1:58, four-and-a-quarter lengths on top for his second-straight win. SD Eliminator held second over late closing Teachmehowtotory and Passion In Paris.
The winner is a gelded son of Braggart, who now has three wins on the season and eight lifetime tallies and $67,294 in career earnings for owner-breeder Jenni King, who also handles the training. He paid $10.40 to win.
The $6,900 "B" division went to SB My Boy Gideon (Gerald Longo, $17.60) with a last-to-first rally in the final quarter to score a one-length victory in 2:00.4 over the rain-soaked oval. The winning owner is Debra Davis and the winning trainer is Rick Davis. Gerald Longo drove the $17.60 winner.
The Justin Anfinson-trained entry of Go Margeaux and Musclestobragon picked up second and third, respectively in a near dead heat for the runner-up spot.
The $4,600 "C" division went to Bekkums Black Rose, who took control up the backside and drew away from the field by four lengths to the finish in 2:00.1, a career best. Al Mar Lovie Dovie was second and Al Mar Money Woman was third. The winning owner is Sarah Bekkum and the winning trainer is Dave Ginter. Nick Roland drove the $7.80 winner.
Multiple race winners on the card included driver Nick Roland with a book-end double, and trainers Kathie Plested-Wiseman and Rick Bertrand, who each scored a double on the card.
Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday (Aug. 11) with first post at 1:00 p.m. (CDT) and will feature two notable Carryovers: $794.90 for the 50-cent Early Pick 4, and $1,079.62 for the 50-cent Hi-5 in Race 9.
(Running Aces)