Driver Luke Plano posted another five-win night at Running Aces on Thursday (Sept. 1), including piloting Im A Skoldier to his sixth straight win.
Im A Skoldier was sent off as the 1-2 favourite from post eight in the $19,800 Minnesota-sired freshman 'A' pace and left the gate alertly amongst a host of leavers.
Plano was content to ease the impressive son of Wind Me Up on the outside as Polar Storm (Chip Lackey) established an early lead over Wavzeka (Rick Magee) and Stevies Girl (Mooney Svendsen) during the :29.4 opening quarter.
Im A Skoldier advanced quickly near the three-eighths marker and was settled on top to register the half in :58.4.
Kawabunga (Chad Svendsen) made a strong mid-race bid for the top but was unable to get past the leader, and Polar Storm tried a late rally from the pocket but Im A Skoldier ($3) dug in gamely to post his sixth straight victory by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:56.4.
Polar Storm was home second and Kawabunga held third.
The winner is owned by his breeder Van Otterloo Stables and is trained by Bob Lems.
King Of Aces (sired by Three Of Clubs) delivered as the 1-5 favourite in the $13,200 'B' division in 1:56.2.
Plano was the winning pilot and the pair were unhurried early from post one as several others vied for the front. Plano got King Of Aces rolling on the outside near the quarter and was able to get to the lead as they rounded into the second turn.
Once on top, King of Aces ($2.60) was always comfortable and he responded gamely when confronted by Hollywood Double (Dean Magee) in the late stages, digging in for a three-quarter of a length win.
Quite The Flirt (Svendsen) was home third.
The winner is owned and trained by Maria Alvarez and was bred by Williams Hernandez.
Oneida Blue Chip (Rick Magee, $5.60) posted a very sharp gate-to-wire score in the $15,600 Mares Open II Handicap Pace for her third win of the season.
Unique Rock (Dean Magee) saved ground throughout and shook free late to grab second and Shesureissomething (Tony Kerwood) was hung every step of the mile and held gamely for third money in the 1:54.2 mile.
The winner was making her first start for new owner Kevin Magee.
Sneaky Hill (sired by Racing Hill) posted another impressive win in the $11,600 sophomore Open Pace, going first-up to score by 2-1/2 lengths in 1:54.3 for his fifth win in a row. Brady Jenson is the winning owner/trainer/driver.
Give Me This Dance (Dean Magee) was the pace-setter and held second over Lovin On You (Rick Magee).
The winner paid $3.40.
Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (Sept. 4) for Pepsi Family Night. It will also be Herps Alive Night at Running Aces as Handicapping Herpetologist Keith Gisser will be on hand with his interactive live reptile display.
The carryover in the Pick-5 Jackpot wager at Running Aces has swelled to $25,269.61 for Sunday’s nine-race program. The wager offers a minimum base of 20 cents and the Sunday sequence gets underway with race five, and includes both of the feature races on the program, including the $19,800 Open Handicap Trot (race six) and the $19,800 Mares Open Handicap Pace (race seven).
In addition, The 50-cent Late Pick-4, which starts with race six, has a guaranteed total pool of $3,000.
Post time is set for 7 p.m. (CDT).
(Running Aces)