Driver Rick Magee steered his eighth current track-record holder at Running Aces, guiding Hearduwhispermynam to a 1:56 victory in the $13,800 Minnesota-bred Sophomore "A" Trot on Sunday (Sept. 6).
Hearduwhispermynam was part of a two-horse entry for owner-trainer Jenni King and started from post 6 with driver Rick Magee in the bike. The entry went as the third choice in the wagering at just over 2-1.
SD Eliminator was fastest from the gate and had the early lead at the :28.3 quarter before SB Madam Secretary took over near the :57.4 half mile mark.
Favourite Susies Sister picked up the first-over position and Hearduwhispermynam picked up the cover from fourth up the backstretch and was still fourth as they registered three-quarters in 1:26.1.
Magee followed the cover all the way to the top of the lane and then tipped to find a clear path through the stretch. Hearduwhispermynam ($6.40) responded and trotted away from his rivals by two-and-three-quarter lengths to register a mile in 1:56 and lower the track mark for sophomore geldings by three-fifth seconds. The previous mark had stood for nine years, set by Silence Son in 2012. The mile was also a career mark for Hearduwhispermynam.
SB Madam Secretary was second and Susies Sister held third.
Hearduwhispermynam is a son of Braggart and out of the Giant Triumph mare Outathebluclearsky. He is owned and trained by his breeder Jenni King and now has nine wins in 21 starts with $79,519 in the bank.
The $9,200 "B" division went to Miss Gracious (Mooney Svendsen, $8.60), who closed from well out of it early with a sweeping three-wide rally around the final turn to take the lead at the top of the stretch. Once on the lead, she drew away with every stride and checked in six-and-a-half lengths ahead at the wire over Bekkums Black Rose and Al Mar Lovie Dovie in a 1:58.3 mile for a career mark.
The winning owner is Jeff Ryan and the winning trainer is Edward Hernandez.
Driver Dean Magee led the Sunday program with three winners, while both Rick Magee and Mooney Svendsen each registered doubles. Trainer Rick Bertrand was the leader on the day with a double as well.
Live racing continues at Running Aces through Oct. 4, with action four days a week on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday rotation. First-race post every race day is at 1:00 p.m. (CDT).
(Running Aces)