Sgt Papa Daddy super in first lifetime win

One of the most Impressive performances on the Tuesday night harness racing card at Running Aces was Sgt Papa Daddy, a 2 year old gelding by Rockin Image who was making his pari-mutuel debut this evening for Owner/Trainer Merlin Van Otterloo and driver Steve Wiseman.

Wiseman sent his charge quickly off the gate to secure the pocket early from post two and sat through the 28.3 opening quarter then swept quickly to the lead before the half and led from there, posting 57.3 and 1:26.1, and drawing away from the field to win handily in 1:55.2 with a 29.1 final quarter. Sgt Papa Daddy was favored in the contest, and paid $5.20 for every $2.00 ticket. Mint To Cruise (Nick Roland) was 7 lengths back in 2nd, and Just Blitzed (Luke Plano) checked in third.

The winner was also bred by Merlin Van Otterloo, of Rock Valley Iowa, with the Dam of Sgt Papa Daddy (Little Tootsie) being a mare that has been in the Van Otterloo Family, including during her racing campaign, in fact she took a mark of 1:53 here at Running Aces at age four and won 13 lifetime races from 61 starts, and $95,076. Sgt Papa Daddy is eligible to Indiana-Sired races and may very well be a star on that stage in the future.

In the $9,000 Minnesota-Sired 2 year old geldings pace it was DeweyDidDoneGood who continues to to very good things here at Running Aces, posting his 4th win in a row, and pacing in 1:57.2 this evening with Driver Dean Magee in tow, for Owner Richard Davelaar and Trainer David Flynn, he paid $2.20 tonight as the very heavy betting choice.

In the $9,000 Minnesota-Sired filly pace it was WhatitdoBabyBoo who strutted her stuff once again, posting her 2nd win in the last 3 starts and pacing to a new life’s mark of 1:59.3 with Steve Wiseman in the bike for David Flynn and The Van Otterloo Stables.

Track record holder Silver Spir found his way back to the Aces winner’s circle tonight, posting a sharp gate-to-wire win in a conditioned event in 1:55.2 with Trainer/Driver Tim Maier for Owner Robin Clements, it was the 6th win of the year for Silver Spir.

Steve Wiseman had another big night, picking up a Grand Slam on the card with 4 wins, and Dean Magee posted a driving double in the ($4.80) early double.

The $5,000 Guaranteed late Pick Four paid $515.20 for every .50 cent ticket with multiple winners connecting in the sequence of 6-2-2-4 with 39-1, 3-1, 3-5 and 6-1 odds.

The Jackpot Pick Six was also hit tonight, with a single winner cashing $1,525.50 for their .50 cent combination.

The next card of Live Harness racing action goes to post tomorrow, Wednesday, July 27 at 6:00 pm CDT.

By Darin Gagne, Running Aces Track Announcer