Pridecrest surges to win Aces feature

Columbus, MN – Pridecrest was fastest of all to the wire in the $13,800 Open Handicap Trot harness racing feature on Sunday (August 15) at Running Aces, sweeping from seventh at the half to get up right at the wire for his fourth win of the season and 44th career tally.

Driver Mooney Svendsen was content to sit towards the back of the field in the eight horse affair, as race favorite All American N (Luke Plano) set the tempo and Susie’s Sister (Tony Kerwood) sat in the pocket through the :28 opening quarter.

Bordogna (Rick Magee) attacked the leader from first-over and applied heavy pressure through the middle stages of the race (:58.1 and 1:26.4) before Mind Yown Business (Dean Magee) tipped off cover to take the lead as they straightened for home, while Pridecrest was closing in from the back of the pack.

In deep stretch Mind Yown Business tried hard to get to the wire first, but Pridecrest ($20.80) had the momentum and surged past on the outside to win by a neck in 1:56.3. All American N held third.

The winner is a 9 year-old son of Angus Hall, owned by Christopher Schick and trained by Kathleen Plested. He now shows a career bankroll of $387,184.

PRIDECREST REPLAY

The $10,500 Open Handicap II Trot went to Lucky Playmate (Rick Magee, $7.40) who rallied from mid-pack down the backstretch and took the lead as they rounded for the finish.

MD Magic (Dean Magee) followed the cover and was charging strong to the wire, but Lucky Playmate was able to hold on for a half-length score in 1:58.2. Race favorite Mandeville (Gerald Longo) checked in third.

The winner is a four year old daughter of Lucky Chucky owned by Cathy Dessert and trained by Magee. She now has five wins in fourteen starts this year.

LUCKY PLAYMATE REPLAY

The $8,100 Sophomore Open trot event went to Coatofmanycolors (Brian Detgen, $8.80) for her seventh win of the season. The daughter of Tymal Templar sat fourth throughout and got rolling in the final eighth of a mile to sweep past the leaders and post a 1-3/4 length tally over heavy favorite The Royal Queen (Dean Magee) and SB Sampson’s Ridge in 1:59. The winner is owned and trained by Jenni King.

Drivers Brian Detgen and Mooney Svendsen led the Sunday program with doubles, while trainer Kathie Plested also posted a double on the card.

The 20 cent Pick-5 Jackpot was hit for $21,341.10

Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday (August 17) with first post at 6:05 pm (CDT).

For full race results, click here.

By Darin Gagne, for Running Aces