Fast Larry dominates in career best at Aces

Columbus, MN – The Thursday night (Sept. 7) harness racing program at Running Aces featured Minnesota-sired freshman and sophomore pacers as well as top-level pacing mares.

Fast Larry (Art’s Chip) posted his third-straight dominating win in the $17,000 freshman male ‘A’ pace in a career best 1:56.2 over Spiritofanoutlaw (Mooney Svendsen) and Boom Boom Bullseye (Kevin Wallis).

Trainer/driver Brady Jenson was content to sit in third early before making a mid-race move down the backside and drawing alongside leader Spiritofanoutlaw while Celebrity Status raced in the pocket.

In the lane Fast Larry ($3.40) kicked it into high gear and drew away from his rivals to post a sharp 2-1/4 length tally for owner Gary Carlson.

FAST LARRY REPLAY

Lucky Lil Lady (Luck Be Withyou) turned in a stellar performance to capture the $17,600 distaff Open Handicap pace in 1:53.3. Garnering plenty of support as the 2-1 favorite off the strength of back-to-back impressive closing efforts in her last two tries, she employed a different tactic this week and was sent to the front of the contest by driver Kevin Wallis.

From post five, they cleared for the lead quickly while Crazy Cute (Mooney Svendsen) settled for the pocket and Wonder Of Love (Rick Magee) dropped in third through the opening fractions of :27.2 and :57.

Rockin With Lou (Gerald Longo) tipped out amongst traffic and was first-up through the middle stages while Disaronno Hill (Brady Jenson) was forced three wide after interference.

As they swung for home the outer flow began to tire but Lucky Lil Lady had no quit in her and kept to her task while Crazy Cute charged up the inside late and Wonder Of Love emerged from the pack in third.

The contest culminated with a thrilling finish that went to Lucky Lil Lady by a neck over Crazy Cute with Wonder Of Love checking in third.

It was the sixth win of the season and tenth career win for Lucky Lil Lady ($6.20) for owner Robin Clements and trainer Quentin Schneider.

LUCKY LIL LADY REPLAY

The $17,000 freshman fillies ‘A’ pace saw yet another edition of the big rivalry between division leaders Apple Juice and Deja Vu Babyboo (Karpathian Kid).

Deja Vu Babyboo made an uncharacteristic break at the start and was nearly seven lengths back of leader Apple Juice (Jacob Cutting) at the :29 quarter mile station while Moonlit Night traveled in the pocket.

Deja Vu Babyboo got rolling down the backstretch and drew alongside the leader and they battled stride for stride through the lane with Deja Vu Babyboo ($5.00) prevailing by a nose over Apple Juice in a very close photo finish in 1:56.

The winner now shows four wins in nine career outings for owner/breeder Van Otterloo Stables and trainer Bob Lems.

All Star Wonder (Wind Me Up, Dean Magee, $2.20) broke through with his first career win in the $10,500 freshman ‘B’ pace, delivering as the heavy favorite.

He took the lead before the half mile and led comfortably before fending off a late challenge by longshot Totally Easy (Rick Magee) for a half-length score with Fiftyshadesofcray (Nick Roland) checking in third.

The winner is owned by trainer Brett Ballinger as well as Darren Taylor and Benvenga Racing.

Gotubydashorthairs (Wind Me Up, Roland, $6.80) turned in yet another impressive outing to capture the $22,000 sophomore ‘A’ pace, delivering the victory as one of just two fillies in the six horse contest.

As per her customary racing style, she rallied from the back of the pack and drew clear late for a half-length tally over I’m A Skoldier (Svendsen) and King Of Aces (Plano).

The winner now shows 8 wins in fourteen starts this season for owner/breeder Mark Anderson and trainer Gordon Graham.

Jeremy’s Alibi (Easy Again, Roland, $8.20) worked out a perfect pocket trip and rallied past pace-setter Polar Storm (Todd Warren) in the lane to capture the $14,500 sophomore ‘B’ pace in 1:56.2.

It was the fifth win of the season for Jeremy’s Alibi, who is owned by Jessica Johnson and Chris Manatt and trained by Roland.

Driver Kevin Wallis led the Thursday program with 3 wins, while Dean Magee and trainer Quentin Schneider each scored doubles and Nick Roland posted both a driving double and a training double.

Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday night (September 10) for an eight-race program with first post at 7 p.m. (CDT).

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

by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces