One of the most impressive performances on the Wednesday night (Aug. 31) harness racing program at Running Aces came in a $7,200 conditioned-claiming event for pacers, when Lil Orphan Elmer ($3.40), a 4 year old gelding by Always a Virgin, who, just 3 nights after posting a new life’s mark of 1:54.1 on Sunday night, turned in a fantastic encore this evening by lowering that very mark to 1:53.3 with a commanding score by 7¾ lengths.
Tonight “Elmer” and trainer/driver Mooney Svendsen took control of things early, with a sweeping move from 4th at the quarter pole to the lead at the 3/8, he then proceeded to widen his advantage from there, pacing a back half in :55.3 and final stanza in 27.4 which left the competition reeling. This was the fifth start for his current ownership connections of Scott Ehrlich and George Mc Chrystal, who purchased him in a private sale in early August, and the ultra-sharp pacer now sports 6 wins and $31,091 this season.
Another terrific display of talent was put forth by Dash Point Hanover, a 5 year old gelding by Somebeachsomewhere, who pulled off a 21-1 upset ($44.20) this evening with a very gutsy effort, hung nearly every step of the mile first-over, only taking the lead when it counted… at the wire in 1:53 to top the field in the $8,000 conditioned pace. Tonight’s tally was his fourth win of the season, and established a new mark for him as well, besting his previous lifetime best mile by one fifth of a second for Lessee/Trainer/Driver Jim Marino.
Aubrey’s Jesse ($4.20), a 3 year old trotting filly by Jailhouse Jesse, posted her second straight lifetime mark in a row with her 2:00.1 victory tonight, (her third of the season) with Nick Roland in the sulky for Trainer Joel Mc Danel and Owner’s Mr. Carrol D & Rick Huffman in a $4,500 conditioned event. She now sports 8 wins in 11 lifetime starts.
Driver Jim Marino posted a driving double on the program.
The next card of live Harness Racing Action at Running Aces is the annual “Night of Champions”, which goes post-ward on Saturday, September 3rd at 6:00 pm CDT, with over $250,000 in total purses on the night. It is the closing night of the 2016 Live Racing season, and we will crown all of the Minnesota-Sired Champions for 2016.
By Darin Gagne, Running Aces Track Announcer