The Minnesota-Sired 2 year old Pacers highlighted the Tuesday evening (Aug. 16) harness racing program at Running Aces, with $10,000 on the line in each division.
In the Colts & Geldings split, The big favorite DeweyDidDoneGood (DeanMagee) would not prevail this evening, finishing 3rd despite a nice effort on the front end. Steve's Hot Rod (Rick Magee) sat the pocket and came home second in the 2:01 mile, beaten only ½ length and Wonder Bull (Nick Roland) would charge fastest to the wire, advancing up the inside in the stretch, but would later be disqualified (to 8th) for violating the expanded homestretch rules… having advanced well inside of the final pylon before the beginning of the expanded stretch. Steve's Hot Rod was placed as the winner, with DeweyDidDoneGoodmoved up to second and Zachariah's Honor (Luke Plano) wasplaced third.
Steve's Hot Rod now sports 3 lifetime wins in 7 starts for Owner Kati Sokolowski and Trainer David Flynn.
In the Fillies division, there would be no upsets, as the overwhelming choice Whatitdobabyboo (Rick Magee) would deliver another impressive victory, in her now-signature style of sitting back quietly in the early stages, then launching a deliberate rally on the outside and pouncing in the homestretch to draw away from her rivals. Tonight she posted a 3¼ length tally, her 4th in a row and 5th win in her last 6 starts for Owners Van Oterloo Stables, and Trainer David Flynn. Tonight's mile was registered 2:02 in the sloppy conditions, and she paid $2.40 to her many backers.
The track condition went from Fast in races 1-3 to Sloppy at the start of race 4, after heavy rains pelted the area for about 45 minutes.
Driver Rick Magee had a huge night, posting 5 wins on the program as the first driver to do so this season.
Rounding out his 5-Bagger were scores with pacers Place'N First ($26.80) in 1:58 in race 4, the aforementioned tally aboard Steve's Hot Rod ($13.40) in race 6, The Trotter Switcheroo ($53.00) in race 8 in 2:00.3, The filly WhatitdoBabyBoo (above) in race 9, and the gelding pacer Red Star Tyson ($6.40) in race 10 (1:58.4).
Running Aces is now racing 4 nights a week, with Live Racing on Tuesdays & Wednesdays going to post at 7:00 pm CDT, and weekend Racing starts at 6:00 pm CDT on both Saturdays and Sundays.
By Darin Gagne, Running Aces Track Announcer