Gate-to-wire for Castle Flight

Columbus, MN – The featured event on the Tuesday night (August 10) harness racing program at Running Aces was the $13,800 Open Handicap pace, which drew a field of seven.

Last week’s winner Parklane Jet (S. Bernard Demars) was sent off as the 2-1 favorite while Castle Flight (Nick Roland) was given a 3-1 chance by the betting public and Whatchyastarinat (Jacob Cutting) was sent off at 7-2.

Roland sent Castle Flight (Panspacificflight) right to the lead from post seven and controlled the tempo, while Swagasaurusrex (Brady Jenson) secured the pocket and Intrigued Again (Tony Kerwood) got away in third.

The early fractions were moderate (:28 and :57.2) and Parklane Jet was first to challenge the front runners, sweeping from last to third as they raced down the back lane but could not sustain the bid into the far turn.

Castle Flight picked up the pace in the third panel (:27.3) and was never in doubt in the homestretch to post a 1-1/4 length tally in 1:53.2 over Swagasaurusrex who was clearly second best while Whatchyastarinat checked in third.

CASTLE FLIGHT REPLAY

Castle Flight ($8.80) now shows 5 wins in twelve starts this year and has now won 37 career races and $375,196. The winning owner is Bill Dessert and Roland is also the winning trainer.

Vickie’s Vacation (Nick Roland, $6.20) posted her third career win with a career best mile in 2:00 to take the first division of the $8,100 two year-old Open trot by a neck over stablemate Scroll On By.

The pair traded the lead early and were one-two throughout the mile. Both fillies are by Banker Volo and both are trained by Dan Roland. The winning filly is owned by Jeralene Roland and Vickie Rush. Triggered (Mooney Svendsen) was home in third.

VICKIE’S VACATION REPLAY

The second $8,100 division went to Poko Loki (Luke Plano) who dominated in 2:02.4 for two wins in a row. The gelded son of Tamarind battled early with Chip Talks (Brady Jenson) before taking control through very soft fractions.

Once on the lead, Poko Loki ($3.40) was never in doubt posted a final quarter in :28.4 to draw away and win by 7 lengths. Chip Talks held second and Cnnothinbutailites (Gerald Longo) picked up third. The winner is owned by Susan Holm-Johansen and also owned and trained by Ulf Holm-Johansen.

POKO LOKI REPLAY

Nick Roland led the Tuesday program with 3 driving wins and a training double, while Luke Plano also posted a driving double.

Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday (August 12) with first post at 6:05 pm (CDT) and will feature a carryover of $17,108.34 in the 20 cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager, and a carryover of $1,694.05 in the 50 cent Hi-5.

For full race results, click here.

By Darin Gagne, for Running Aces