American Dreamer keeps on rolling in Open Pace

Columbus, MN – The favorites prevailed in the top two races on the Monday night (July 3) harness racing program at Running Aces.

American Dreamer (American Ideal) was sent off as the 8-5 choice amongst a talented group of eight contenders in the $18,500 Open Handicap pace and wasted no time in getting to the front of the affair from post seven.

Driver Todd Warren was on a mission to get the 9-year-old to the top and they worked a bit to grab the lead from Shamwow (Rick Magee) and then settled into a nice rhythm through the quick early fractions of :26.4 and :54.3.

Maui (Svendsen) had also left alertly from the inside post and secured the third spot and saved ground throughout while Saddle Up (Dean Magee) tried a first-over bid.

American Dreamer kept on rolling and recorded a third panel in :27.3 to keep everyone at bay and closed his effort out with a :28.1 final stanza to seal the deal for his 30th career win in 1:50.2 while Shamwow held second over Maui.

The winner is owned by Wilson Racing Stable, Ann Calvert and Mark Eichberger and trained by Tim Wilson, Jr. along with assistant Jenni DeMenge.

AMERICAN DREAMER REPLAY

Handsome Harvey (Special Forces) and driver Luke Plano powered to his third-straight victory in the $15,000 top condition event, with a sharp closing effort in the final quarter mile to get up over Sneaky Hill (Jenson) and Cheese Omelet (Warren).

His final quarter of :27 was the fastest on the charts for the evening and the mile in 1:51.3 was also a new career mark for the 4-year-old. He paid $5.00 to win.

The winner is owned by Dave Haness as well as trainer/driver Plano.

HANDSOME HARVEY REPLAY

Jacob Cutting and Dean Magee led the program with two wins each.

Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday (July 6) with first post at 7 p.m. (CDT) and will feature a carryover of $18,707.29 in the Pick-5 Jackpot wager.

For full race results, click here.

by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces