Columbus, MN – The Tuesday night (June 8) harness racing card at Running Aces was packed with great racing and big performances, including another victory for 6 year old pacer Giggle Monster who posted a dominating 2-1/4 length score in 1:53 in a $7,000 event to bring his season win total to 11-making him the only horse in the sport to have eleven wins on their card in 2021.
He was also the first horse to reach 10 wins on the year when he registered his first Aces win of the season on May 20. The sharp son of Wind Me Up has always been a star at Running Aces, where most of his 30 career wins have been recorded.
He was also voted Horse of the Year in Minnesota in 2017 after winning seven of 9 starts in hisNick R freshman campaign. On Tuesday Night, driver-trainer Nick Roland floated away fourth with Giggle Monster ($3.40) from post five and then brushed to the lead at the quarter, clearing just as they straightened in the lane for the first time- and once on the lead, he was never in doubt at any point in the mile. Giggle Monster is owned by Set The Pace Racing.
GIGGLE MONSTER REPLAY
The $11,000 Open Handicap pace went to post with a deeply talented field of seven facing the starter, and the race was a thriller from start to finish. SB Bodacious (Rick Magee) was looking for four wins in a row, and went to the front from the outside post but not before having to work a bit to clear the lead from stablemate Zanetti (Brady Jenson) in a quick :26.2 opening stanza.
Stuckey Dote (Mooney Svendsen) was also away sharply and dropped in third. SB Bodacious led through the middle stages of the race as well, posting a half mile in :55.1 and three-panels in 1:22.4.
Turning for home, Zanetti emerged from the pocket and took the lead as they approached the wire, but Stuckey Dote had also found a seam down the center of the track and flew to the wire, along with two other fast closers in So So De Vie (Dean Magee) and Whatchyastarinat (Tony Kerwood).
The thrilling finish was a five-way photo for all positions- and in the end, Stuckey Dote had gotten a head up at the wire in 1:51.1 overĀ Zanetti and SB Bodacious. The top four were separated by just a neck. It was the 43rd career tally and third of the season for the winner Stuckey Dote ($21.40), who has now earned $419,248 for owner/breeder Merlin Van Oterloo, he is trained by Brett Ballinger.
STUCKEY DOTE REPLAY
Parklane Jet posted his 12th career win and a new career mark with a 1:51.4 victory in a $5,200 conditioned pace on Tuesday night. After getting away third, driver Dean Magee sent Parklane Jet ($7.00) to the lead and he controlled the race from there, fending off a first-over challenge from Hoo Nien A (Gerald Longo) to check in a half a length ahead of that rival at the wire. The winner is owned by Terrance SmithĀ and trained by Edward Hernandez.
Drivers Mooney Svendsen, Jacob Cutting and Brady Jenson all recorded doubles on the Tuesday card, and Jenson also recorded a training double.
Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday (June 10) with first post at 6:05 pm (CDT) and features a carryover in the 20 cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager of $13,121.18
For full race results, click here.
By Darin Gagne’, for Running Aces