Fastest mile ever recorded at Running Aces

Columbus, MN – The Tuesday night (June 6) harness racing feature race at Running Aces drew a very talented field of 8 competitors vying for top honors in the $18,500 Open Handicap Pace.

Last week’s winner Saddle Up (Dean Magee) fired fastest from the gate from post six to establish early command before He’zzz A Wise Sky (Yankee Skyscraper), who also left sharply from post seven took over just past the quarter mile post which was achieved in :27 seconds.

Once on top, He’zzz A Wise Sky and driver Jacob Cutting were in complete control as Saddle Up continued in the pocket and both Heza Real Diamond (Brad Irvine) and Mac’s Marvel (Luke Plano) got underway from the back of the pack during the middle stages which were recorded in :54.2 and 1:22.3.

Around the far turn the leader began to create separation from the field and arrived at the top of the lane with a three-length lead before drawing further away from his rivals in deep-stretch.

As he approached the wire, He’zzz A Wise Sky ($4.80) was clearly in a race against the teletimer, and he stopped the clock at 1:50 to record the fastest mile ever over the Running Aces five-eighths mile oval.

HE’ZZZ A WISE SKY REPLAY

The winner is a 6-year-old stallion out of the Four Starzzz Shark mare Gimmeazzzmooch. He was bred by Don and Joann Filomeno and is owned by Triple ZZZ Stables and trained by John Filomeno. The extremely talented pacer now shows two wins in five outings this year and has now recorded 36 career wins, while earning $547,070 to date.

The previous all-age track record at Running Aces was 1:50.1 and was co-held by Real Gorgeous (J. Seekman) in 2019 and Little Rocket Man (J. De Long) in 2022.

The $18,000 Linkjack Hanover Pacing Series final provided a thrilling finish with a three-horse photo at the wire in 1:52.4.

Heavy favorite Officer Jim (American Ideal) and driver Todd Warren prevailed by a nose to sweep the series, while Wonder Of Love (Mooney Svendsen) just missed in second and longshot Biggiessecondshot (Cutting) was just a neck further back in third.

The winner is a 7-year-old is owned by Debra Mc Carthy and trained by Grodon Graham. He now shows 12 wins in fourteen outings this year and has $51,217 in seasonal earnings. He paid just $2.20 to win.

OFFICER JIM REPLAY

Driver Jacob Cutting led the program with four wins while Todd Warren recorded a double.

Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday (June 8) with a ten-race program and first post at 7 p.m. (CDT).

For complete race results, click here.

by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces