Running Aces Casino & Racetrack closed out the 2016 live harness racing season on Saturday night, September 3, with the Night of Champions program, and the night -- complete with a huge crowd -- was a perfect cap off to the most successful season in the nine-year history of the track.
One of the most impressive performances of the night was that of Whatitdo Babyboo (Rick Magee), who picked up her sixth straight win, and seventh win in nine starts this season by taking the $25,000 Minnesota-Sired two-year-old pacing filly championship with a three-length score in 2:02 for The Van Oterloo Stables and trainer David Flinn, paying just $2.60 as the crowd’s heavy choice in the wagering.
In the three-year-old colt and gelding trot, Abras Momentom (Gerald Longo) got all of his ducks in a row on the perfect night to post the best mile of his career, taking his first lifetime pari-mutuel win with the $25,000 championship in a 1:59.2 mark for owner Debra Davis and trainer Richard Davis of Wisconsin. He paid $29.20 as the longest priced winner of the night.
Whatevershesgot (Gerald Longo) posted an impressive gate-to-wire score in the $25,000 three-year-old filly trot in a career-best mile of 1:59.2, notching her 11th lifetime win for owner/trainer Jenni King. She paid $7.60 at the windows.
Silent Dreams won the $25,000 (non-betting) two-year-old filly trot in 2:04.1 with Dean Magee for trainer Brett Ballinger and owners Glen and Jody Wilson. Liquorskwikker went gate-to-wire in the $25,000 (non-betting) two-year-old colt and gelding trot in 2:05.3 for his third lifetime win for owners Ulf and Susan Holm-Johansen.
Goody Two Socks (Rick Magee, $5.80) parlayed a pocket trip into a championship in the $12,500 four-year-olds and up horses and geldings pace in 1:53.4 for trainer Alexia Kehl and owner Seppo Hakamaa, while Flick A Fly picked up her 23rd lifetime tally (1:56) in the $12,500 mares pace for four-year-olds and up, also with Rick Magee aboard for The Van Oterloo Stables and trainer David Flinn, paying a $3.80 mutuel.
Stuckey Dote (Jim Marino) continued his late season dominance at Running Aces by taking the $25,000 three-year-old colt and gelding pace in 1:55 for owner/trainer Merlin Van Oterloo. The win was the 12th lifetime for the son of Voracious Hanover, and he payed $3.00 as the favourite.
Cruzin Coco (Nick Roland) picked up her 12th lifetime win by capturing the $25,000 three-year-old filly pace in 1:55.1 for owners Ron Emerson and Mark Holtan and trainer Joel Mc Danel. She paid $5.80 this evening.
Zachariahs Honor (Luke Plano) posted his second consecutive lifetime-best mile in winning the $25,000 two-year-old colt and gelding pace in 1:57.3 for his proud owners Royal and Barbara Roland. The win was his fourth lifetime and he paid $9.00 to win.
Lo Rail Crossing (Jim Marino) picked up his 24th lifetime score while taking down the $12,500 four-year-old and up trotting event in 1:58.4 for trainer Nick Roland and owner Lorenza Gooch. He paid $9.80 for every $2.00 win wager.
Driver Rick Magee had a huge night with four wins, while Jim Marino picked up three big wins and drivers Nick Roland and Gerald Longo each picked up two wins on the Night of Champions.
(With files from Running Aces)