Sunday, July 3, 2016 COLUMBUS,MN – The Sunday night Harness Racing card at Running Aces featured the $11,000 Open Pace, and a talented field of six squared off in the top contest, Jazzmanian Devil with Moonie Svendsen in the bike was looking for his 4th straight open win, he got away from the gate 3rd and made a first-over bid past the three-quarter pole, and had a head of the stretch lead before being out-paced late by closers Buddys Hope with Luke Plano in the sulky and Gotta Dream Big with Nick Roland.
Buddy's Hope was fastest to the wire, taking the winner's prize in the 1:53.2 mile, Gotta Dream Big was a half a length back in second, and Jazzmanian Devil held third.
Buddy's Hope is owned by Jerome Bouvier and trained by Sean Lancaster. It was his 20th lifetime victory, He paid $20.80 at the windows, and the win tonight pushed his career purse tally to $121,668.
The amazingly sharp 3 year old gelding Freedom Reigns, with Steve Wiseman in the sulky, extended his winning streak to 5 tonight, pacing in 1:54.4 and holding off a strong challenge from pocket-sitter Whatchastarinat (Gerald Longo). Wiseman sent his charge quickly from the gate from post 7 and found early opposition from FoxValleyRichRokr (Rick Magee) who also left sharply from the outside, Freedom Reigns cleared to the lead past the 3/8 pole after a contested 28.0 quarter, he then led the rest of the way posting 57.1 and 1:25.4 fractions. Whatchastarinat came charging from off the pace but was unable to get past the winner. Holla At Ur Boy (Dean Magee) was third.
The Molgaard-Jensen owned and trained Freedom Reigns paid $2.80 as the hot favorite.
Driver Luke Plano picked up a Hat-Trick for the second consecutive program, as he also scored with Chew Tobacco Spit ($13.80) in 1:59.2 for Trainer Robert Lems, and he piloted his own trainee Barbosa ($7.80) to victory in 1:56.1.
Drivers Nick Roland and Steve Wiseman both posted driving doubles on the card as well.
The next card of live Harness Racing at Running Aces Casino & Racetrack will go to post on Tuesday night, July 5th at 7:00 pm CDT.