COLUMBUS,MN– The $11,000 Open Handicap Pace on Sunday featured a compact but talented field of harness racing pacers, and figured to be a showdown between Roland N Rock – fresh in from Cleveland's Battle of Lake Erie, and last weeks winner SF Donttellonme, who won easily in a lifetime best 1:53.3 on opening weekend.
Driver Joe Casagranda fired SF Donttellonme to the front and threw up fast fractions of 26.4, 56.0, and 124.4, and fended off a furious charge from Rola N Rock (Nick Roland) just past the ¾ pole, and again as they straightened away for home, with Bettor In The Bank (Dean Magee) joining the charge late,
But nobody got past SF Donttellonme, who held sway by a head in 1:52.2 with a sharp 27.3 final stanza. SF Donttellonme is owned, trained and driven by Casagranda, who hails from Michigan.
The Ultra-sharp gelding now sports 5 wins in 7 starts this year, and $27,934. He paid $5.00 to win as the second choice, Bettor in The Bank took 2nd and Roland N Rock, the race favorite was just a neck back in 3rd . The 1:52.2 time was a new life's mark, besting the 1:53.3 previous mark he took last week.
The 3 year old Minnesota-Sired Filly Trot went to Abbymara by Abra (Nick Roland) in 2:01.3, paying $9.20. The filly is owned by Andrew Anfinson and trained by Justin Anfinson, both of Minnesota.
The 3 year old Minnesota-Sired gelding Trot went to Margins Echo ( by Abra ) with Trainer/Driver Rick Magee for Owner Makaela DelGiudice of Minnesota. He trotted in 2:02.4 under-wraps and is now perfect in his two seasonal outings.
Nick Roland scored a hat-trick on the Sunday card, with Rick Magee and Gerald Longo both picking up driving doubles.
The next card of live Harness Racing at Running Aces Casino & Racetrack will go to post on Tuesday night, May 31 at 7:00 pm CDT, with a carryover in the .50 cent Jackpot Pick-6 wager of $1,510.71
By Darin Gagne, for Running Aces