Arguably the most impressive performance on the Tuesday evening harness racing program at Running Aces came in The $10,000 Open Trot, when Banker Volo ($3.60) re-bounded tonight off of his 3rd place finish last week to post his 3rd win in his last 4 starts, this one a sharp gate-to-wire romp from post six. Driver Luke Plano sent the superstar trotter fast off the gate and they never looked back, and even if they had, there was no one in sight. Banker Volo was home first by 6 ¼ lengths in 1:55.4, his Owner Dan Roland of DanJer Farms invited any fans interested in joining his trotting star in the winner’s circle for the photo, and many excited race-goers both young and old marveled at the chance to do so, making for a fun winner’s circle with Banker Volo tonight.
The $10,000 Mares Open Pace also went to post tonight, and another Superstar did not disappoint her many fans in tonight’s top pace as Best Of Jenna ($2.80) also posted a great gate-to-wire display of horsepower, stopping the clock tonight in 1:52.4 with Trainer/Driver Rick Magee aboard. Best of Jenna is owned by Dr. Ken and Jana Lee Rucker and this was her fourth straight win.
Firedrake ($8.00) was ultra-sharp again tonight, in a nice $6,000 conditioned pace, Trainer/Driver Nick Roland got him away quickly from post 7, and they were second in the pocket at the quarter, where they remained before finding room in the homestretch and firing past the field to post a ¾ length tally in a lifetime best 1:52.4, for his third straight tally. He is owned by Jessica Johnson.
Fancy Creek Link ($3.00) also delivered another sharp performance, as she found her way to the front early in her $6,400 conditioned pacing event, and drew away from her rivals to pick up her fourth consecutive win for her owner Jim Ballinger and Trainer Brett Ballinger, and she was driven tonight by Nick Roland in the 1:54.3 victory.
Nick Roland led all drivers this evening with 5 big wins on the program, the first driver to complete the 5-bagger so far this season. His other scores came with Rockin Jimmy ($12.80) for Trainer Justin Anfinson, The Lehigh Legend ($14.20) for Trainer Kathie Plested, and Jabas Luck ($11.40) again for Anfinson.
The next card of live Harness Racing at Running Aces Casino & Racetrack will go to post on Saturday night, June 24 at 6:00 pm CDT, with a carryover in the .20 cent Jackpot Pick-5 wager of $17,314.65.
By Darin Gagne, Running Aces Track Announcer