The Saturday afternoon (Aug. 8) Harness Racing program at Running Aces offered two big pacing feature events: The $10,000 Open Handicap for Horses & Geldings and the Minnesota-Sired sophomores going for $15,000.
The Open event attracted nine talented pacers with Keep On Rocking A drawing post 9 and looking to win four in a row while well supported at 5-2 in the wagering. Stuckey Dote drew the pole position for the first time this season, and garnered lukewarm support at 9-2.
Whatchyastarinat surged first from the gate from post 5 and held a brief lead while Prologue also stepped lively from post 6 to take over control. Then Keep On Rocking A worked hard to make the lead near the three-eighths mile juncture. The early fractions were :27.1 and :55.4.
After taking the lead, Keep On Rocking A faced pressure from Stuckey Dote, who pulled first-up and attacked the leader from near the half. Rounding for home Parklane Jet circled up three wide, and took the lead as they straightened for the wire. But Stuckey Dote was not done and battled back gamely to the finish, getting a head in front at the line in 1:52.1 with Whatchyastarinat rallying for third money over Keep On Rocking A.
The gelded seven-year-old Voracious Hanover progeny Stuckey Dote now shows 38 wins and $366,766 in earnings for owner-breeder Merlin Van Otterloo. The winning trainer is Brett Ballinger. Darrell Wright drove the $11.40 winner.
Its A Marcs World posted another impressive and dominating win for four in a row in the three-year-old pace after working hard to make the front from post 8, and then fending off constant pressure from chief rival Bunkerhill Phil with a three-quarter length score in 1:53 for his sixth win of the year. Dubberyoo turned in a career-best effort to get up for second and Bunkerhill Phil was home third.
Its A Marcs World is a gelded son of Marced Card and out of the Life Sign mare Lifes Image. He is owned by Duane Roland and trained by Jessica Johnson. Nick Roland drove the $3.00 winner.
Driver Nick Roland scored another natural hat trick on Saturday, to lead the program with 3 wins, while Darrell Wright posted a driving double.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (Aug. 9) with first post at 1:00 p.m. (CDT).
(Running Aces)