For driver Tim Maier, the trip on Hard Cold Cash in the feature race, marked his return to the sulky after a 10 month hiatus from the track. The absence in the bike followed a racing spill last July. Management, Staff, Horsemen and Fans from far and wide were all thrilled to see Tim back in the sulky. Tim and Cold Hard Cash finished fifth tonight, beaten less than 5 lengths, after a tough trip first over in a fast final half mile.
Stevensville ($3.20) made his presence felt in a big way this evening, as he posted a very sharp gate-to-wire victory in an eye-opening time of 1:52.2 with Trainer/Driver Rick Magee. Stevensville powered away from the middle of the gate in post four to grab command, and he faced a very strong challenge from Elusive Image (Tony Huffman) during the final half mile.
Stevensville was able to fend off Elusive image with a solid final quarter of 27.3, keeping his rival at bay. The final margin was ½ length. Stevensville is a 7-year-old Stallion by SomebeachSomewhere, and he is owned by Dr. Ken Rucker and Jana Lee Rucker of Wisconsin, tonight's tally was the 22nd lifetime win for the winner of $509,629.
Buzz Light (Nick Roland) posted a super-sharp win in the final contest of the night, a $7,000 conditioned pace. From post 4, Buzz Light left sharply and secured second position behind the heavy race-favorite Storming D Odds (Steve Wiseman).
After being shuffled back to third, Roland was able to angle out just in time for a first-over bid at the half mile, and Buzz light proceeded to grind first over, remaining in striking position until the homestretch, where he powered home impressively in 28.3 to score a solid win over the favorite, with Crash and Burn (Dean Magee) checking home in third in the 1:55.3 mile.
Buzz Light is owned by Cathy Dessert and trained by Nick Roland. Tonight's victory was his third score this year, and sixth lifetime win.
A rare occurrence took place this night at Running Aces, as the last five races on the card were won by horses wearing saddlepad number 4, with nobody correctly selecting the 4-4-4-4-4 combination in the 20 cent Pick-5, nor anyone correctly playing 4-4-4-4 in the Late Pick-4 wager. Those two pools will now carry-over to Saturday night, May 26, with first race scheduled at 6:00 pm CDT. Post Position 4 actually won the final 7 races on the card, after taking second in race one. (Firedrake-#5 in race 3, started from post four after the scratch of #2.)
By Darin Gagne, for Running Aces