Peanutbutterfalcon remains razor sharp

Columbus, MN – The Sunday night (July 13) harness racing program at Running Aces featured top trotters in the spotlight including two divisions of Minnesota-sired sophomore action going for $17,500 in each split.

Peanutbutterfalcon (Quality Kemp) was the 1-10 favorite in the male division and he did not disappoint his backers, delivering his third-straight win and his fifth triumph in six seasonal outings.

Driver Rick Magee and Peanutbutterfalcon were intent on getting to the front of the contest early and they had to work a bit to make the top but they prevailed in an early tussle with Braggen Bliss (Nick Roland) after a quick :28.1 opening stanza. While Tutti Frutti Rudy (Luke Plano) set up shop in third.

Once on the lead, Magee was able to settle his charge into a nice rhythm and they stole a huge breather of :31.3 in the second panel and 1:02.1 in the middle half.

Peanutbutterfalcon was in complete control as they swung for home while Tutti Frutti Rudy launched a nice rally from third but Peanutbutterfalcon ($2.20) was able to get home safe to win by a half-length over Tutti Frutti Rudy with Braggen Bliss third best in the 1:59.3 mile.

PEANUTBUTTERFALCON REPLAY

The winner is owned by his breeder Jeri Roland and is trained by Dan Roland. He now shows 12 career wins with total earnings of $134,275.

It’s Gonna Be Mae (Lear Jetta) posted her first career pari-mutuel win in the filly division, rallying from fifth at the half mile to steadily gain on the leaders and eventually surge at the line to win by a head over SHS Southern Pride (Rick Magee) with Flora Cash (Brandon Jenson) a close third in a 1:59.4 mile.

Sean Smithpeters was the winning pilot on It’s Gonna Be Mae ($8.20) for owner/trainer/breeder Alexia Kehl.

Muscle Hill gelding Escaper (Billy Mann, $4.00) delivered another impressive gate-to-wire performance to capture his fourth local win from seven local starts in the $14,750 Open Handicap trot. There were never any anxious moments for the winner, who held gamely against a solid late rally from All Champy (Mooney Svendsen) to prevail by a half-length in a seasonal best 1:55.3.

The winner is owned by Terrence Smith and trained by Maria Alvarez for the Williams Hernandez Stable.

ESCAPER REPLAY

Brady Jenson led the Sunday program with four driving wins and a training double while Luke Plano posted both a driving and training double and Dean Magee also scored a driving double.

Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday night (July 15) for a 9-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