The Sunday Harness Racing program at Running Aces was jam-packed with impressive performances, but perhaps the most impressive showing of the evening did not come from one of the trotters or pacers, but rather from the meet's current leading driver Steve Wiseman, who dominated the card with 5 wins, 1 second, 1 third and 1 fourth in his 8 trips to the starting gate on the nine race program.
Wiseman got things started early in the card with a sharp looking win with Western Fortune ($3.80) in race two, powering to the front from post 5 and keeping to task to post a 1-length tally in 1:54.3 for trainer Tim Brown. He was right back in the winner's circle after race 3 with Coastal Treasure, who benefitted from a quick-thinking brush from the pocket by Wiseman just before the 3/8 pole, which would prove to be the winning move. Coastal Treasure ($9.80) held gamely to win by a neck in 1:55 for trainer Kathie Plested. After a solid third place finish with 8-1 shot Stonecold Stunner in the Minnesota-Sired 3 year old geldings trot, Wiseman "The Magician" was right back to his winning ways in race 5 aboard Feeling Fancy Free ($7.00) in the maiden pace, guiding that 5 year old mare to her first lifetime win (2:00.2) in 29 starts for trainer Marco Rios.
Next, Wiseman piloted Frenchkissmebaby to a good second in the Minnesota-Sired 3 year old filly trotting event. Defending Aces driving champion Wiseman had a race off before returning to the track for the late daily-double. Race 8 was the featured $13,000 Open Handicap Pace for horses & geldings, and Wiseman stole the show in that contest as well, with a fantastic drive aboard To The Limit, Wiseman was patient through contested early fractions, got into the outer flow past the 5/8 juncture, and angled to the passing lane turning for home to burst through the inside and register a 1-length victory while drawing away in 1:52.3. To The Limit ($7.00) is owned by Alan Cooper and trained by Kathie Plested, and the speedy 6 year old gelding by Panspacificflight now has 2 wins in seven starts this year.
The nightcap was up next, and Wiseman was listed on the race-favorite Lincoln, whom he had piloted to two consecutive wins already and the duo was looking to remain an undefeated 3 for 3 on the Aces season in tonight's contest. After getting away third, Wiseman quarter-pulled Lincoln ($2.80) and swept to the front of the field before the second turn, and they dominated the proceedings from there, getting home first in 1:54.1 to complete the 3 race win-streak and the Wiseman Late-Double. Lincoln is owned by Robin Clements, and trained by Denise Maier, and he now has 7 wins in 20 races this year.
Running Aces offers Live Racing every Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday night. Tuesday night June 5 features a $5,000 guarantee in the 50 cent Late Pick-4 wager, and a $2,910 carryover in the 20 cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager. Visit our website RunAces.com for complete information, upcoming events, promotions and handicapping tools, including a free program download for every Tuesday night's races.
By Darin Gagne', Running Aces Track Announcer