Bp’s Lucky Star, Rock Party impress at Running Aces

Columbus, MN – Harness racing trotting talent was on display on Sunday night (Jul. 30) at Running Aces and both Bp’s Lucky Star (For You Almost Free) and Rock Party (Cantab Hall) delivered big performances to step into the spotlight.

Bp’s Lucky Star shined brightly yet again in the $18,250 Minnesota-sired sophomore male trot event (which was part of an early non-wagering card) to capture his fifth win in nine seasonal outings and equal his own track record mark of 1:55.1 which he set last week.

Mooney Svendsen was in the bike and wasted no time getting to the front of the field from post five as Wisco Wild Card (Jacob Cutting) easily secured the pocket and Whata Tettegouche (Dean Magee) landed in third.

Bp’s Lucky Star was always comfortable while posting fractions of :28.4, :58.1 and 1:27.1 and he kept everyone in chase mode by saving the fastest speed for the final quarter mile, kicking home in :28 seconds to draw away from his rivals by 5-1/2 lengths while Wisco Wild Card held second and Whata Tettegouche checked in third.

The winner is owned by trainer Rick Huffman as well as Brenda Lovetinsky and Penny Lundell.

Rock Party (Dean Magee, $6.20) posted a very impressive three-wide rally from the back of the pack to sweep by the field and capture victory in the $18,500 Open Handicap trot in 1:55.2 for his sixth win of the year and his fourth local win of the meet.

Count Jogging (Plano) was fast off the car and had an early lead before Stride The Hill (Kevin Wallis) surged from the outside post to take over and they remained that way while Scorecard Dan (Cutting) launched a first over attack during the middle stages of the affair.

Stride The Hill and Count Jogging battled in the lane but Rock Party was loaded with trot and surged past in the final sixteenth to post a three-quarter length victory with Stride The Hill holding off Count Jogging for the second spot.

The winner is a 6-year-old and is owned by Chupp Racing Stable and trained by Bob Johnson.

Driver Jacob Cutting led the Sunday action with 4 driving wins while Luke Plano and trainer Justin Anfinson both posted doubles.

Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday (August 1) for Dollar Night, with $1 Hot Dogs, Chips and Sodas and $2 beers starting at 6 p.m. and the first of nine races will get underway at 7 p.m. (CDT).

For complete non-wagering race results, click here: US Trotting results.

For complete pari-mutuel race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces