Columbus, MN – The Tuesday evening harness racing program at Running Aces was highlighted by a track record performance in the two year old fillies trot and a return to the winner's circle for one of the top pacing mares at the meet.
The program got underway in style when Susie's Sister, a Claudius Augustus filly posted a dominating gate-to-wire win in the $13,800 Minnesota-Sired two year old "Class A" trot in 1:59.4 to equal the track record set by SB Madam Secretary on August 20. Driver Don Harmon sent Susie's Sister quickly off the gate from post five to take the early lead, after an early skirmish with SB Madam Secretary (Darrell Wright) who had to settle for the pocket.
Susie's Sister was the heavy favorite and dominated the entire affair and was never in doubt, posting fractions of :30.1, 1:01.1 and 1:30.1 and leaving plenty left in the tank to trot home strong and draw away by 2-1/4 lengths and post the record mile over co record-holder and second favorite SB Madam Secretary. Longshot Go Margeaux was home in third at 88-1 to spice up the ($229.80) trifecta.
Susie's Sister ($2.80) now has 8 wins in eleven career trips to the gate, and has bankrolled $34,718. The winning owners are Lynchris, LLC and the winning trainer is Don Harmon.
Juslikeaqueen (Dean Magee) also posted a dominating effort in the $14,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace, to record her tenth win of the season with a ¾-length score in 1:53.4 over Amasa Arion (Rick Magee) and Dancingonthesand (Steve Wiseman). Juslikeaqueen ($5.60) sprinted from the gate from post six and always looked like the winner despite heavy first-over pressure from PV Miracle Mary (Darrell Wright).
Amasa Arion saved ground throughout and was clearly second best, while Dancingonthesand (Steve Wiseman) also saved ground and was a game third.
Juslikeaqueen now shows 27 career wins and has just eclipsed the $300,000 mark in career earnings with this week's winning performance. The winning owner is Antonia Storer, and the winning trainer is Tim Maier.
The other two year old winners on the program were: Huftalookatdatfany (Dean Magee) in 2:04 in the $5,750 MN 2 YO Fillies "B" Pace, Scarlett Ruby ($6.40, Dean Magee) in the $8,625 MN 2 YO Fillies "A" Pace in 1:59.2, Double My Decker ($3.60, Rick Magee) in the $9,200 MN 2 YO "B" Trot in 2:02.1, and Bunkerhill Phil ($3.00, Don Harmon) in the $8,625 MN 2 YO colts & geldings Pace in 1:56.3.
Dean Magee led the Tuesday program with 3 winners, while Rick Magee, Nick Roland, and Don Harmon all picked up driving doubles.
Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Saturday (September 7) with local post time at 6:00 pm, and features two Carryovers: $5,013.70 in the 20 cent Pick-5 Jackpot, and $3,054.48 in the 50 cent Hi-5.
By Darin Gagne, for Running Aces