17-1 longshot splashes home in Aces feature

Columbus, MN – Bombay Hanover (Western Vintage) pulled off the biggest upset of the night at Running Aces on Tuesday (May 21) by capturing the $15,500 Open Handicap pace in 1:53.1 over a heavily rain-soaked oval.

Sent off as the third-longest shot on the board (17-1) from post three, Bombay Hanover was unhurried when the starter said “go” and settled away in fourth position as Caliber (James Kennedy) and Zanetti (Rick Magee) battled for the top spots and American Dreamer (Todd Warren) landed in third during the :27 second opening quarter.

American Dreamer swept to the lead near the three-eighths mark and led at the (:55.4) mid-point and then trainer/driver Luke Plano launched Bombay Hanover to the outside with a first-over attack down the backstretch, quickly drawing alongside the leader as they headed around the far turn with Shwartz Bros Pat (Dean Magee) joining the outside flow.

In the lane American Dreamer dug in gamely but Bombay Hanover continued to press on and got the upper hand in deep stretch before drawing clear for a 1-1/2 length tally. American Dreamer checked in second while Schwartz Bros Pat rallied past Caliber late to grab the third spot.

BOMBAY HANOVER REPLAY

Bombay Hanover ($36.20) is an 8-year-old gelding owned by Plano, as well as Dave Haness and Chris Manatt. He now shows 4 wins this season and 19 career wins, with earnings of $227,765.

Plano had 3 wins on the program, scoring also with Handsome Harvey ($3.00) in 1:54.3, and with Mac’s Marvel ($2.40) in 1:54.1.

Jacob Cutting also posted 3 driving wins, including Juju Hanover ($7.00) in 1:53, Fox Valley Nova ($3.60) in 1:56.2 and Rockinscience ($6.00) in 1:55.2

Despite a ($3.60) winning favorite on top, the 50-cent Hi-5 wager in race four sported a hefty return of $7,031.25 for the 3-6-2-5-8 combination.

Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday night (May 23) with first post at 6 p.m. (CDT) and will feature a pair of carryovers: $1,098.65 for the 50-cent Hi-5 in race four, and $2,561.18 for the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot, which also starts in race four.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces