The Sunday evening program of harness racing at Running Aces featured the $35,000 Dan Patch Free For All Pace, and the event drew a talented field of 7 contenders who had collectively earned more than $2.1 million and won 187 races in their respective careeers.
The contest would wind up being dominated by the horse who came into the race with perhaps the least credentials in purses and wins, but perhaps one of the biggest hearts of all in the field.
Firedrake ($13.20) posted a sparkling gate-to-wire performance and absolutely dominated the affair. Trainer/Driver Nick Roland sent the 4 year old Dragon Again gelding right to the lead from post 5, and controlled everything through moderate front panels of 28.0 and 56.2 before facing a strong challenge and heavy pressure from race-favorite and Midwest pacing dynamo Roland N Rock past the 3/4 marker in 1:25. Firedrake had plenty of answers for Roland N Rock (Steve Wiseman) and the rest of the field as he turned back all challenges, and turned on the afterburners to sprint home in 27.1 for the biggest win of his career, a 2 1/4 length victory in 1:52.1 to take the Dan Patch FFA Trophy. Megatron (James Yoder) was up for second, with Roland N Rock home in third.
Firedrake is no stranger to the winner's circle, in fact he has crossed the wire first in 9 of 10 starts this year, suffering his only defeat to Roland N Rock in last week's $15,000 Dan Patch preview. Firedrake was un-raced at age two, and had a great season at 3 with 6 wins and 5 seconds in 15 starts, with most of them right here at Running Aces. The razor sharp pacer is owned by Jessica Johnson and now shows 14 wins in 25 lifetime starts and $59,624.
Also on the Sunday card, Al Mar Money Glide ($65.00) pulled a big upset in the $13,000 Minnesota-Sired 3 year old Trot event, posting his first lifetime win in his seventh trip to the gate, stopping the timer in 2:01.1 with Steve Wiseman aboard for Trainer Brady Jenson and Owner Larry Jo Jenson, the gelding is by Money Talks.
Driver Steve Wiseman posted another Grand Slam for his second consecutive night with 4 wins on the card. Nick Roland and Luke Plano both picked up driving doubles as well.
The 20 cent Jackpot pick 5 pool continues to grow, with a carryover of $15,648.83 going in to the Tuesday night (July 25) program. There is also a carryover of $2,575.41 for the Race 11 Hi-5 wager on Tuesday.
By Darin Gagne, Running Aces Track Announcer