The regular Sunday night harness racing feature at Running Aces Casino & Racetrack is the $13,000 Open Handicap for Horses & Geldings, and tonight's edition was another great contest, with a very talented field of nine facing the gate, but there would be one horse who would steal the show on this night, "Rocky", a 4 year old by Rocknroll Hanover who goes by the official name of Roland N Rock ( his more intimate fans call him Rocky ) would take command of this field and serve immediate notice to the field that this was His night to shine at Running Aces, as he put forth a never-in-doubt, commanding gate-to-wire performance (his best ever locally), in 1:51.4, missing the track record for 4 year old gelding pacers by just a tick of the clock.
Rocky is no stranger to success, in fact he won his first 18 lifetime races and took the Midwest by storm. He spent his 3 year old campaign knocking heads with the best horses in the sport, including Freaky Feet Pete and Wiggleit Jiggleit, and while he did not rise to the very top of that group, he certainly did not shame himself, earning $132,705 at 3 and counting a Grand Circuit win at Goshen and a 1:51.1 mark at Hoosier Park amongst his accomplishments.
As a four year old, he started his campaign out east once again, facing the toughest 4 year old pacers around before making the pilgrimage back home to Iowa and his adoring Owners Connie & Duane Roland. Since his Midwest return he has raced at Aces 4 times now, with 2 wins, and a close third (by a neck) to his credit, but tonight's performance really was a shining display of his immense talent, and add that to back-to-back Track Record smashing performances at three Iowa fairs this summer and you have an idea of just how great this horse really is.
The final tally tonight was a 4¼ length win, over I'm An Athlete (Jim Marino) and Bettormeboy (Rick Magee), the betting public made no mistake here, as Roland N Rock delivered as the 4-5 choice, with Nick Roland in the sulky, returning $3.80.
The $10,200 Minnesota-Sired Class-A Trot went to post and it would be The Winnin Dollar ($7.20) returning to his winning ways this evening, posting a 1 length win off of a pocket trip tonight with Nick Roland in the bike for Trainer Justin Anfinson, and owner Jesse De Long, tonight's win was the 6th of the season and 13th lifetime for the gelding by Sos Lunar Eclipse.
The $6,800 Class-B division would go to Bombshell Betty (Nick Roland), as she also returned to her winning ways this evening, posting her 5th win in 9 starts this year in 2:00.2, she is also owned by Jesse De Long, in partnership with Tabatha Canaar and Trained by Justin Anfinson, she paid $2.60 as the overwhelming choice in the field.
Chewey Baca ($3.60) looked very sharp again, posting his 2nd consecutive win in the nightcap race tonight, with Luke Plano in the sulky. Tonight's score in 1:53.2, topping a decent conditioned pacing field for horses & geldings, was his 4th win in 13 starts this year. Chewy Baca is owned by Dr. James Findlay, and trained by Sean Lancaster.
Driver Nick Roland had a Grand Slam with 4 winners on the card, and drivers Steve Wiseman and Luke Plano both posted doubles.
The next card of Live Harness Racing action will go to post on Tuesday, August 2nd, at 6:00 pm CDT, with a $5,000 Guaranteed Pool in the Late Pick-4 wager.
By Darin Gagne, Running Aces Track Announcer