The harness racing program on Thursday, Sept. 12 at Running Aces featured exciting action and thrilling finishes, but Deja Vu Babyboo stole the show with one of the most impressive efforts of the night, posting a career best mile to capture victory in the $28,378 sophomore 'A' division of the Minnesota-sired action.
Driver Rick Magee floated the daughter of Karpathian Kid away alertly and into in the third spot from post two while Celebrity Status (Nick Roland) and Fast Larry (James Kennedy) battled for the top positions through earnest early fractions of :27.1 and :56.2.
The action heated up again down the backside when Apple Juice (Todd Warren) came first-up which provided cover flow for both El Parrandero Q (Jacob Cutting) and Delco Irene (Brady Jenson) with Deja Vu Babyboo saving ground while locked in fifth.
Fast Larry still held the advantage at the 1:24.3 checkpoint for three-quarters while Apple Juice was looming on the outside.
The field began to fan out as they swung for home and Fast Larry became surrounded by rivals. He responded gamely while Apple Juice and Celebrity Status got closer but it was Deja Vu Babyboo who shook free and powered home on the outside to capture victory with an eye-catching rally. Deja Vu Babyboo ($28.60) got home a half-length better than Fast Larry with Apple Juice holding third over Celebrity Status in the 1:53.1 mile.
It was the third tally of the season for the winner, who is owned by Van Otterloo Stables and is trained by Bob Lems.
The Creature (Jenson, $2.40) delivered a big effort as the heavy favourite in the $18,919 'B' division in a career best 1:55.1 mile over TJB Secreharriet (Mooney Svendsen) and Da Gangsta (Williams Hernandez).
Majors Miracle (Elson Miller, $6.20) posted her third straight victory in the $20,946 Mares Open Handicap pace in 1:52.4 over Two Pistol Annie (Kennedy) and Premier Delight (Jeff Hunt).
Two Pistol Annie left fastest and had the early lead before Majors Miracle surged past to take over near the quarter and those two remained the top pair throughout.
Two Pistol Annie pulled the pocket as they turned for home but Majors Miracle fought gamely in a thrilling deep stretch battle to hold on and score her sixth win of the season by a half length.
The winner is by Luck Be Withyou and is owned and trained by Miller. She now shows 15 career wins and earnings of $246,139.
Brady Jenson led the program with four driving wins and three training wins while Williams Hernandez had a driving double and Ariel Alvarez had a training double.
Live harness acing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (Sept. 15) for the final Pepsi Family Night program of the season. After Sunday there are three more nights of racing for the 2024 Aces season, including Tuesday night (Sept. 17) and Friday and Saturday nights (Sept. 20 & 21).
Sunday's program will feature 10 races and a carryover of $3,636.80 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager which will get underway in the sixth race.
(Running Aces)