Certainly one of the most impressive performances on the Saturday night (July 29) harness racing program at Running Aces was a razor sharp victory for Buzz Light, coming in a $4,400 conditioned pace. It was not the featured race, or the open event, but it was a monumental victory for the 4 year old Voracious Hanover gelding who has struggled this year with breaking and has been a regular member of the qualifying brigade.
Buzz Light ($22.80) was recently switched to the barn of Trainer Rick Magee and he has continued to improve, after qualifying cleanly on July 11 in 1:57.3 he followed that up with a sharp effort to finish 3rd in a race, timed in 1:56.2. Tonight, Rick Magee guided Buzz Light aggresively from the gate from the outside post of 8 and Buzz Light responded, and powered to the front despite a three-wide journey to get there. He was on top at the quarter pole in 28.3, and half mile of 57.3, before yielding the lead to pocket sitter and race favorite Mucho Macho Man (Tim Maier) just past the half.
Mucho Macho Man tried to sprint away, but Buzz Light kept to task and was just 1 1/2 lengths away at the 1:26 checkpoint, and as they rounded the turn for home, it was clear that Buzz Light was not done tonight, he re-engaged the favorite and powered past in the lane for a 1 3/4 length tally and new lifetime mark of 1:55.2. Owner Cathy Dessert was overwhelmed with joy as she headed to the winner's circle, and later stated that she had " never given up on him ". The victory was yet another testament to that very ideal, don't give up, keep working hard and together Owner, Trainer and Horse can earn their time to shine.
The $13,000 Minnesota-Sired 3 year old pace was the featured event, and Whatitdo Babyboo ($3.40) was again the star of the show, rallying from off the pace again, but doing so at an earlier stage in the race tonight for her second straight win. She is Owned by Van Otterloo Stables, Trained by David Flinn and was driven to the 2 3/4 length victory in 1:55.1 by Steve Wiseman.
The featured $6,400 trotting event went to CW Raisinette ($4.60) for two wins in a row, with driver Steve Wiseman putting his charge on the front end from post six, yielding and then re-taking past the half mile. It was a dominating 4 length win in a 1:58.1 lifetime mark for the 4 year old mare by Claudius Augustus, who is owned by A Piece of The Action LLC, and Trained by Kathie Plested Wiseman.
The Saturday program was marred by an accident in Race 7, with Drivers Lemoyne "Mooney" Svendsen and Tim Maier remaining hospitalized as of late Saturday night. The entire running Aces Family of staff, horsemen and fans are sending their prayers for our two beloved drivers for a quick recovery.
Live Racing returns on Sunday, July 30 with a first post of 6:00 pm CDT and a carryover in the .20 cent Jackpot Pick 5 wager of $18,995.87.
By Darin Gagne, Running Aces Track Announcer