The Tuesday night (August 31) harness racing program at Running Aces featured the weekly $13,800 Open Handicap Pace, with a talented field of seven facing the starter in race six on the card.
SB Bodacious (Rick Magee) was the talk of the toteboard at 4-5, while last week’s winner So So De Vie (Luke Plano) was also heavily supported in the win pool at 9-5.
Driver Brian Detgen sent Castle Flight away quickly from post five to get the first call, while Rick Magee and SB Bodacious also left sharply and contested for the early lead, clearing to the front just past the quick :26.4 opening quarter mark while Marktentwentyseven (Brady Jenson) watched the battle from third. So So De Vie launched a first-over bid down the backside with Swagasaurusrex (Mooney Svendsen) and Whatchyastarinat (Tony Kerwood) joining the flow as SB Bodacious posted a :56.3 middle-half.
SB Bodacious still had the lead as they rounded for home but Castle Flight was loaded with pace from the pocket, and Whatchyastarinat tipped wide for the drive with a big late rally and there were six horses within less than two lengths at the wire. When the dust settled, Castle Flight ($27.80) had gotten a head up at the wire in 1:52.4 over Whatchyastarinat with SB Bodacious holding third.
The winner is a nine-year-old son of Panspacificflight, who now shows six wins in 15 outings this year and 38 career wins. He is owned by Bill Dessert and trained by Nick Roland.
The $14,375 Minnesota-sired freshman male trot event went to Poko Loki (Tony Kerwood, $5.20) in 2:01.3 for his third career win. Kerwood activated the gelded son of Tamarind right off the gate from post six in the seven-horse affair and they made the lead near the quarter-mile post. Once on the lead, Poko Loki always looked comfortable and he fought gamely in the lane when challenged late by pocket-sitter Chip Talks (Brady Jenson), who was a half-length back at the wire. Shadow Fax (Dean Magee) was home in third. The winner is owned by Susan Holm-Johansen and also owned and trained by Ulf Holm-Johansen.
The $14,375 Minnesota-sired freshman filly trot went to CR Promise To You (Brady Jenson, $6.60), who delivered as the slight favourite with a dramatic rally in the passing lane to draw away late by 1-1/2 lengths in 2:01.4 over Scroll On By (Tony Kerwood) and Calico Creek (Luke Plano) -- that pair could not be separated for second. The winner is a daughter of Tom Ridge, owned by Rick and Mr. Caroll Huffman and Keith Wilson, and trained by Justin Anfinson. She now has four victories in 10 career starts.
Drivers Brady Jenson, Luke Plano and Brian Detgen all registered doubles on the program, and trainer Justin Anfinson also posted a double.
There were just two winning favourites on the Tuesday program, as the overall percentage of winning favourites at Running Aces now dips under the 39 per cent mark for the season and is one of the lowest such averages in horse racing currently. Tuesday’s program also saw an unusually high number of winners coming from the passing lane, with six of eight race winners finding their winning path in the open stretch. The final three races of the night were won by double-digit longshots, sparking several consolation payoffs and carryovers.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday night (September 2) and will feature several carryovers: $1,083.17 for the Pick-5 Jackpot, $3,300.49 for the Early Pick-4 with a $10,000 guaranteed pool, and $6,143.34 for the 50-cent Hi-5 with a guaranteed pool of $12,500.
Running Aces management, in conjunction with the USTA'S Strategic Wagering Program, added the guaranteed pools on the Early Pick-4 and Hi-5 wagers for the Thursday night card. As part of the Strategic Wagering Program, Free Trackmaster PP's for all of these races can be found on the USTA website.
The action gets underway at 6:05 p.m. (CDT).
(With files from Running Aces)