The Sunday night May 21 Running Aces harness racing card featured the return of local favorite Roland N Rock to the Minnesota oval to headline the $11,000 Open Handicap pace. He did not disappoint his loyal fans and pari-mutuel backers as he turned in a dazzling performance as expected. Assigned the outside post in the 8 horse field, driver Nick Roland sent “Rocky” out quickly in search of the lead, but found plenty of competition for the top spot, and opted to float back into the four hole as they checked in at the quarter in a swift 26.4. From there the duo sat patiently through the half in 56.1 before launching their attack, first with a second over position nearing three-quarters (1:24) and then a quick 3 wide brush to take command turning for home, pacing away from the field to score by 2¼ lengths in 1:52.2 with a 28.0 final quarter and a final half in 55.3
SF Donttellonme (J. Casagranda) rounded out the exacta off of an early pocket trip, while pace-setter Easy Again (R.Magee) checked in third.
Roland N Rock (by Rocknroll Hanover) returned $3.60 for a $2 mutuel, after posting his 3rd win of the season and boosting his seasonal bankroll to $117,450 for Owners Duane and Connie Roland.
Firedrake ($5.20) did not disappoint in his 2017 debut as well, delivering as co-favorite in a nice $6,400 conditioned pacing event. Firedrake and trainer/driver Nick Roland secured a pocket trip behind Bo Master and found his way up the inside of the track late to score a nice win by 2¼ lengths in 1:56.1
Firedrake is owned by Jessica Johnson, and the 4 year old gelding by Dragon Again now sports 7 wins in 16 lifetime tries. The win also completed the back-to-back double for Roland.
Steve Wiseman posted a Grand Slam with 4 wins on the Sunday night card, Wiseman fans were rewarded in the opener as he scored aboard Art Genta paying $3.40, race 3 ($2.60) with Muscle Beach, race 4 steering Cenalta Diesel ($7.60) and race 10 with a $4.80 mutuel aboard Magnifique. Wiseman had a triple on the opening night card, and jumps out to the early lead in the driver standings. Lemoyne “Mooney” Svendsen picked up his second driving double in a row with the two biggest prices of the night, Losira in race 5 ($18.60) and Hi Ho’s Little Rev ($21.00) in race 9.
Live Racing returns to Running Aces this coming Tuesday, May 23 with a first post of 7:00 pm CDT.
By Darin Gagne, Running Aces Track Announcer