The $13,000 Minnesota-Sired 3 year old pace was the featured event on the Saturday night (Aug 19) harness racing program at Running Aces, and it was an exciting contest from a talented group of six sophomores.
The star of the Show was Steve's Hot Rod ($21.20) with Trainer/Driver Rick Magee, as they rushed quickly to the early lead from post one and controlled the moderate early fractions of 28.4 and 58.0 before yielding to Swinging Again (James Yoder). Rick Magee and Steve's Hot Rod sat patiently in the pocket around the final turn and through the fast third quarter of 27.1 (1:25.1) before pulling the pocket as they straightened away for home and kicking away by 1 1/2 lengths at the wire in 1:52.3 for a new lifetime mark, with an eye opening final half in :54.3. Swinging Again held second, while race favorite Whatitdo Babyboo (Steve Wiseman) picked up third. The winner is a gelding by Voracious Hanover, out of the Artsplace mare Miss Stacee and is owned by Kati Sokolowski.
The featured trotting event on the card was a $6,400 conditioned event, and the 7 year old grey gelding Dapper Dan ($8.20) strutted his stuff tonight to post his first win of the season in 13 starts for Owner/Trainer Dave Carter. Driver Brian Detgen sent Dapper Dan alertly from the gate and immediately yielded the lead to Tame The Dice (Steve Wiseman) from the outside. They waited patiently in the garden seat through fractions of 28.4, 1:00.2 and 1:29.2 and pulled the pocket at the top of the lane and powered by the leader for a 1 length tally and a new lifetime mark of 1:59.1.
Driver Steve Wiseman posted a Hat-Trick on the card, to once again join Nick Roland in a tie at the top of the Drivers' Standings (64 wins each), and Rick Magee picked up a driving double as well.
The .20 cent Pick 5 Jackpot continues to climb, and now stands at $38,637.13 going into Race 7 on Sunday night, August 20. Live Racing continues through September 16.
By Darin Gagne, Running Aces Track Announcer