The $8,500 Minnesota-Sired 3 year old geldings pacing division has been a very talented group all season long, and one of the stars of the harness racing division has been Stuckey Dote (by Voracious Hanover), his star would shine brightest tonight at Running Aces as he posted a commanding win (gate-to wire) in a new lifetime mark of 1:54.2, for his fourth score in 9 starts as a sophomore, adding to the 7 wins he posted at age two. He is owned and trained by Merlin Van Otterloo, and has been driven to all of his top-two finishes this season by Jim Marino. He paid $4.00 as the even money choice.
The featured event on the Saturday night (Aug. 27) Harness Racing program was the $11,000 Open Handicap Trot, and it would prove to be another feather in the cap for Banker Volo (Nick Roland) tonight, as he out-kicked his biggest rival Flameon (Dean Magee) to the wire in 1:57.3 for his 9th seasonal win in 12 starts. The winning margin tonight was just a neck between these two, which is fitting because these two have been the dominant Open Trotters on the grounds all season. Banker Volo ($4.60) is also trained by Nick Roland, and he is owned by Daniel and Jeralene Roland.
The $8,500 Minnesota-Sired 3 year old Filly pace would feature a sweeping off-the-pace rally and win for favorite American Dancer ($3.80) as she just out-kicked pace setter Cruzin Coco (Nick Roland) to the wire in a 1:55.3 thriller. American dancer is by General Aidid and was confidently driven by Luke Plano for Trainer Robert Lems and owner Timothy Lems, it was her 6th lifetime win.
The sharp 9 year old Trotting Gelding Windsun Galaxie ($9.80) posted his 4th win in a row tonight for Trainer Jessie Pacheco and Owner Ron Rettig-Zucchi, with his 2 length tally in 1:58.1 in reign to Dean Magee. This was his 5th win in his last 6 starts, 7th win of the season and 30th lifetime victory for the winner of $444,411.
Another 4-race win streak was created by 4 year old pacing mare RockNRoll Crystal ($5.60) who has been unbeaten in 4 starts in August, tonight’s tally was a 1¼ length win in 1:56.1 with Dean Magee aboard for Trainer David Ginter and Owner William McIntyre.
Driver Gerald Longo posted a Hat-Trick on the card with 3 wins, while Dean Magee and Luke Plano both picked up doubles.
Live Racing returns to Running Aces tomorrow night, Sunday August 28th at 6:00 pm CDT.