The Tuesday night (August 15) the Running Aces harness racing program saw many stellar performances, one of the impressive miles was turned in by Happy Heath ($77.20) with Trainer/Driver William Hernandez, in a $5,400 conditioned pace.
Happy Heath was making his sixth local start of the season, and was dismissed by the public at 37-1 from the rail. Hernandez sent Happy Heath away sharply from the inside and secured the pocket, which would turn out to be the winning move. The duo sat patiently through a torrid mid-race battle up front, and tipped from the pocket turning for home, with enough pace to get by the leaders and post a lifetime best mile in 1:55.3, in just the 4th career win for the 4 year old gelding by General Aidid. Happy Heath is owned by Jessie Pacheco.
The $10,000 Open Handicap Trot went to Becky Badger Baby ($4.00) once again with Trainer/Driver Nick Roland for a second straight win, this one in 1:57 with a late rally to get up by ½ length at the wire. Becky Badger Baby is owned by Dale Hein and Royal & Barbara Roland and now has 4 wins in 8 starts this season.
The $10,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace was yet another thrilling edition, with a big early speed battle getting the best of Best of Jenna (Rick Magee) who was 3-wide through the opening 1/8 mile and cleared the lead just past the sizzling 26.0 quarter. Gold Star Mysti ($4.20) launched a first-over attack just past the 3/8 pole and took command past the five-eighths checkpoint. From there it was all Gold Star Mysti, as she opened up around the final turn and drew away in the lane to post a 5¾ length romp in 1:51.3 for her 6th win in 9 starts this season. Gold Star Mysti is Trained and Driven by James (J.D.) Yoder for owner Marianne Audley. Kiss On The Lips (Dean Magee) was up for second, and Boom Boom Shaboom (Brady Jenson) checked in third.
The $13,000 Minnesota- Sired 2 year old trot went to Bragginade ($3.40), who kept to task tonight to post an easy gate-to-wire score in 2:02.3 for a new lifetime mark with Trainer/Driver Nick Roland in the sulky for owners Set The Pace Racing LLC.
The $13,000 Minnesota-Sired 2 year old Pacing event went to Giggle Monster ($3.00) who picked up his sixth victory in 7 lifetime starts with Driver Dean Magee in the bike (1:56) for Trainer Denise Maier and Owners Alan & Cheryl Sandbulte.
Drivers Nick Roland and Dean Magee both completed the Hat-Trick tonight with 3 wins apiece, and driver James (J.D.) Yoder completed a driving double.
Live Racing returns to Running Aces this coming Saturday, August 19 with a first post of 6:00 pm CDT and a carryover in the .20 cent Jackpot pick 5 of $36,851.92.
By Darin Gagne, Running Aces Track Announcer