Columbus, MN – The Tuesday night (Aug. 29) harness racing program at Running Aces featured two divisions of the $36,500 Minnesota-sired freshman trot and DP Freedoms Chrome (For You Almostfree) stole the show with his second straight local winning performance.
Starting from the outside nine post, driver James Gould floated the star square-gaiter away from the gate in fifth position as Banker’s Quest (Mooney Svendsen) and stablemate Insurrectionist (Luke Plano) both left fast from the inside posts and Banker’s Grace put up the fractions of :29.2, 1:00.1 and 1:29.4 while Scoot Scoot (Gerald Longo) came first-up and DP Freedoms Chrome followed cover.
Heading into the final turn Gould sent DP Freedoms Chrome three-wide and they quickly drew alongside the leader as the field rounded for home. In the lane Insurrectionist shook free from the pocket but DP Freedoms Chrome ($5.00) was gone, he had taken a clear lead as they straightened away and he opened up with every stride through deep stretch to post an 8-1/4 length score over Insurrectionist in 2:00, with Banker’s Quest holding for third money.
He is now a perfect 8-for-8 in his career for owner Aimes Racing and trainer Elvin Zimmerman. David Bontrager is the winning breeder.
DP FREEDOMS CHROME REPLAY
Baby Flash (Southwind Flash) posted her twelfth career win from thirteen starts with a sharp 2-3/4 length score in the sophomore filly division in 2:01.4.
Driver Chad Svendsen was content to float away in fourth and waited patiently while Banker’s Grace (Rick Magee) made the fractions and Wisco On A Mission (Jacob Cutting) rode in the pocket.
In the far turn Svendsen made his move with Baby Flash and they quickly swept by the leaders while Banker’s Grace made a miscue at the top of the field.
Baby Flash ($4.40) trotted strong through the lane and kicked clear late while Magnolia Moonlight (Chip Lackey) picked up the pieces for second and Al-Mar Puredelight (Todd Warren) rallied from the back for third.
The winner is owned and trained by Rick Huffman and also owned by Brenda Lovetinsky and Penny Lundell.
BABY FLASH REPLAY
American Dreamer (Todd Warren, $5.60, American Ideal) made his way back to the Gulf Shores winner’s circle at Running Aces after a sharp effort in the $17,600 Open Handicap pace for his seventh win of the season.
Warren sent the 9-year-old to the front from post nine and then yielded briefly as PD The Big Easy (Kevin Wallis) went past near the half mile marker. American Dreamer moved right back to the front as they headed down the backside and led comfortably all the way into deep-stretch before Mac’s Marvel came charging after the leader late.
American Dreamer dug in gamely and held on to win by a head over mac’s Marvel in 1:52 while Bizy’s Beatle rallied for third money.
The winner is owned by Wilson Racing, Ann Calvert and Mark Eichberger and is trained by Tim Wilson, Jr. along with assistant Jenni De Menge.
AMERICAN DREAMER REPLAY
Drivers Dean Magee, Rick Magee and Todd Warren all posted doubles on the Tuesday program.
Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday (August 31) with first post at 7 p.m. (CDT).
For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.
by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces