A nice crowd was on hand for the Preakness Stakes simulcast on Saturday, and they were treated to some fantastic live harness racing to compliment the triple crown action.
Flameon kicked off the harness action in race 1 , trotting to a big win in 1:56.2 with Dean Magee aboard for Mark Anderson.
It was a big night for Rick Magee, who posted a driving triple on the 8 race card, and delivered with his mare Trot Fudge Sundae ( 1:58.2 ) in race 4 for his owner James Bafia of Illinois.
Mr Jackpot made his 2016 debut in race 5 for 3 year old Trotters with big expectations, and he did take control of the race at the 3/8 pole but was out-trotted after the three-quarters by the sharp mare Margins Echo, another Rick Magee charge for owner Mikaela Delgiudice of Minn.
And Whatevershesgot rallied past for 2nd in the 2:01.2 mile.
The final race of the night looked on paper to be a face-off between Track record holder Linkjack Hanover (Rick Magee) from the rail, and seasoned gelding Stonebridge Lyric (Nick Roland) from post 8, who opened the Running Aces season with a 1:53 romp on Tuesday night, and Stonebridge Lyric powered away from post 8 to beat Rickybrnthegaragdwn to the lead, and he never looked back from there in a 1:53.4 score.
Cantholdmebackmack ( G.Longo ) made a late charge to nose out Restless Yankee ( J.Marino) for 2nd, while Linkjack Hanover ( R.Magee ) made a move at the leader at the top of the lane but was out-kicked home tonight, taking fourth.
By Darin Gagne, Running Aces Track Announcer