The Tuesday night harness racing card at Running Aces featured the return of Party Hangover Two at the Columbus, Minnesota Oval for the $11,000 Mares Open in race 3. Since she had dominated the Open-level pacing mares here in 2015, fans were certainly aware of her capabilities, and sent her off as the 7-5 choice.
Driver Lemoyne (Moonie) Svendsen found 4 other mares leaving sharply from the gate, and opted to take Party Hangover Two to the back of the pack through the blistering 26.4 opening quarter, he then decided to get the party started by brushing last-to-first at the 3/8 pole, and taking firm control from there, through middle panels of 57.0 and 1:25.2, before pacing home in 29.3, gamely holding off a strong late charge from Flick A Fly (R.Magee) and stopping the clock in 1:55.2, with Just One More (J.Marino) finishing third.
The victory was her fifth tally in six starts this year, as the razor-sharp 5 year old mare by Party At Artsplace from Maura Hanover now sports a bankroll of $130,836 from her 52 lifetime starts.
She paid $4.80 to win to her many backers.
Party Hangover Two is owned by Kathy Plested, Barbara and Donald Arnstine, and Stephen Chambers, and she is conditioned by Steve Wiseman.
Veteran Driver Brian Detgen had a big night, picking up wins with his own pacing mare Captiva Bounty in 1:55.2 ( $12.60 ) in race 5 , the Trotter Dapper Dan in 2:01.4 ( $8.40 ) for Owner/Trainer Dave Carter in race 6, and completing the Hat-trick by capturing the Finale (race 9) with Ya Yu Betcha in 1:54.2 ($5.00) for Owner/Trainer Wendy Haberberg.
The next card of live Harness Racing at Running Aces Casino & Racetrack will go to post on Saturday night, May 28 at 6:00 pm CDT, with a carryover in the .50 cent Jackpot Pick-6 wager of $919.85.
By Darin Gagne, Running Aces Track Announcer