Saddle Up rides on top at Running Aces

Columbus, MN – The Tuesday evening (May 30) the harness racing program at Running Aces featured the weekly Open Handicap Pace, which drew a field of seven for the $18,500 contest.

New shooter He’zzz A Wise Sky and driver Todd Warren was sent off as the slight 7/5 favorite in the main event and was coming in off a big win at Harrah’s Hoosier Park last time out, while Saddle Up (JK Endofanera) and driver Dean Magee was making his third local start after back-to-back runner up showings and was also heavily supported at 3/2.

The two favorites dominated the affair, with Saddle Up blasting off the gate from post five to quickly capture the early lead before He’zzz A Wise Sky came calling for the lead from post seven near the quarter pole and took over control before the three-eighths juncture while Shamwow (Rick Magee) held down the third spot and Robbie Burns N (Jacob Cutting) paced fourth through the first two panels in :27 and :55.

Robbie Burns N pulled first-up down the backstretch and Mac’s Marvel (Plano) picked up cover but the outer pair were still two and three lengths from the leader as they passed the three-quarter juncture in 1:22.4.

Saddle Up was clearly full of pace in the pocket as they rounded for home and He’zzz A Wise Sky braced for the challenge in the lane, resulting in an exciting stretch battle from the top pair. Saddle Up ($5.00) was able to surge past in the final sixteenth of a mile and posted a one-length tally in 1:50.4 for a seasonal best. Shamwow held narrowly for third over Mac’s Marvel.

SADDLE UP REPLAY

The winner is a 5-year-old gelding trained by Justin Anfinson for owner Jeff Fought Racing. He now shows 13 career wins and earnings of $224,033.

Officer Jim (American Ideal) and driver Todd Warren was much the best while capturing the second leg of the Burning Blaze pacing series in 1:52, for two wins in a row. He was sent off as the 1-5 choice in the $9,000 contest and went straight to the lead from post five and led comfortably at every call, posting a 1-3/4 length victory over Wonder Of Love (Svendsen), while Always’s Close (Irvine) picked up third money.

Officer Jim ($2.60) is a 7-year-old gelding owned by Debra Mc Carthy and trained by Gordon Graham. He now shows 11 wins on the season and 32 career wins and has earned $121,051 to date.

OFFICER JIM REPLAY

Heza Real Diamond (Allamerican Native, $10.80) registered his first win of the season with a very sharp two-length romp in 1:51.2 in a $15,000 conditioned pace with Nick Roland in the sulky for owners Anthony Beltrami and Triple Q Stables for his 32^nd career win. He is also trained by Edwin Quevedo.

Driver Dean Magee led the Tuesday program with a triple, while both Nick Roland and Todd Warren registered doubles. Trainer Edwin Quevedo posted a double for the second straight night.

Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday (June 1) with first post at 7 p.m. (CDT) and will feature a carryover of $12,315.65 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager.

For complete race results, click here.

by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces