The Saturday evening (Aug. 31) program at Running Aces featured a $16,000 Minnesota-sired three-year-old pacing event, with a full field of nine facing the starter. Burning Blaze was the talk of the tote board at just over even money, while Windmeupnwatchmego (Dean Magee) was well supported at 2-1 from post nine.
Burning Blaze, the 2018 Minnesota Harness Racing horse of the year, drew post position one and came into this week's contest with two wins in his last three outings.
Sweet Vivian (Mooney Svendsen) left from post six to grab the early lead before Burning Blaze (Steve Wiseman) made a sweep to the lead right near the :27.2 quarter. From there, Burning Blaze was never in doubt, stealing a :30.1 breather in the second panel, before pacing a final half mile in :56.3 to stop the timer in 1:54.1 for a three-quarter-length tally over Sweet Vivian, with long shot A Little Rusty (Darrell Wright) picking up third.
Burning Blaze now has four wins in 12 sophomore outings, with seasonal earnings of $39,970. The winning owners are Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte and Edward Gutin, and the winning trainer is Justin Anfinson.
Driver Steve Wiseman led the Saturday night program with three winners, while Darrell Wright picked up a driving double.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (Sept. 1) and features a $3,246.10 carryover in the 20-cent Jackpot Pick-5.
(Running Aces)