On Saturday, September 2, Running Aces played host to Minnesota-sired three-year-old pacers, and the $6,500 event proved to be a race well worth watching.
Steves Hot Rod, a gelding by Voracious Hanover, posted a sharp display of his speed and talent with a gate-to-wire romp in 1:51.4. The clocking established a new track mark for three-year-old gelding pacers, a record that had stood for more than five years (Chewy Baca, 1:52.1).
Trainer/driver Rick Magee confidently sent Steves Hot Rod from the gate to a fast early lead, and was well in control past the :28 quarter-mile post. ‘Stevie’ and Magee controlled every step of the way in the dash. The duo coasted past the half in :56.2 and turned back a bid by Whatitdo Babyboo (driven by Steve Wiseman) near the 1:24 three-quarters pole. Steves Hot Rod thundered down the homestretch and stopped the teletimer at 1:51.4. DeweyDidDoneGood (Dean Magee), who sat the pocket the entire way, finished second and Whatitdo BabyBoo finished third.
Steves Hot Rod is owned by Kati Sokolowski, and now has seven wins from 28 lifetime starts and has banked $52,686 in earnings.
The featured event of the Saturday card was the $12,000 Open Handicap Trot, which Banker Volo won in 1:55.3.
Live racing at Running Aces will continue through September 16.
(With files from Running Aces)