18-1 upset winner in Aces co-feature Open

Columbus, MN – On a night that was jam-packed with featured harness racing events, Disaronno Hill (Racing Hill) stole the show at Running Aces Thursday (June 1) with a dazzling gate-to-wire performance in the $18,500 Mares Open Handicap Pace.

Dismissed by the public at 18-1, the 5-year-old mare had something to prove, and she powered away from the gate from post six in the seven-horse contest to wrangle the early lead away from Lady Rocknrolla A (Mooney Svendsen) and register the opening fractions in :27.3 and :56.1 while race Favorite Divine Art landed in third.

Once on top, driver Luke Plano settled her into a nice rhythm and they led comfortably throughout while easily fending off a mid-race challenge from Moosette (Jacob Cutting), while Divine Art followed cover.

In the lane it was all Disaronno Hill ($38.40) who saved plenty for the final stanza and easily kept the pocket-sitter at bay, kicking home in :27.4 and posting a 1-1/4 lengths tally in a career-best equalling 1:51.2 mile.

The winner is owned by Terrence Smith and is trained by Williams Hernandez.

DISARONNO HILL REPLAY

I’m A Skoldier (Wind Me Up) and Mooney Svendsen, delivered the goods as the slight favorite in the $18,250 Minnesota-sired Sophomore boys’ pace, posting a career-best score over King Of Aces (Plano) in 1:53.2. The top two were well clear of Dougsmonkeybusines in third.

The winner now boasts 8 career wins in eleven starts for owner/breeder Van Otterloo Stables and trainer Bob Lems. For Svendsen, it was career win number 3,999. The winner paid $4.20.

I’M A SKOLDIER REPLAY

Quite The Flirt (Wind Me Up) and driver Luke Plano posted her best ever win in the $18,250 fillies pace with a front-running victory by 3/4 of a length in 1:56.1 with Wavzeka (Warren) proving second best and Justpoppinpickles (Longo) well back in third.

The winning mare is owned by Van Otterloo Stables and trained by Bob Lems. She paid $3.80 to win.

QUITE THE FLIRT REPLAY

Give Me This Dance (Plano, $2.40) captured the $15,000 Minnesota-sired older mares pace by a half-length in 1:53.4 over Kitty Wampus and Cruzin Coco. Justin Anfinson trains the winning daughter of Wind Me Up for owners/breeders Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte.

American Cruiser (Plano, $6.80) and Blinded By Delight (Lackey, $3.20) each posted wins in the second round action of the Burning Blaze pacing series, which will wrap up on Thursday (June 8).

Luke Plano led the program with 4 driving wins while Brady Jenson scored a driving double and trainers Williams Hernandez and Bob Lems both recorded doubles as well.

Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (June 4) featuring Pepsi Family Night specials and activities as well as a carryover of $1,917.21 in the Hi-5 wager.  First post at Running Aces is 7 p.m. (CDT).

For complete race results, click here.

by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces