Record handle, upset in Ron Banks Memorial

Columbus, MN – Beautiful weather, a big feature race event and a solid undercard all contributed to a magical harness racing night at Running Aces on Sunday (August 21) where a total of $414,945 wagered for a new track handle mark, eclipsing the previous record of $399,898 which was set earlier this season.

The nine-race program featured the $35,000 Ron Banks Memorial pace as well as the $19,800 Open Handicap trot, $15,600 F&M Open II Handicap pace, and two divisions of the $33,000 Minnesota-sired sophomore trot and there were just two winning favorites on the night.

The Banks final for fillies and mares did not disappoint and was action packed from start to finish.

Gottalovemyshadow (Shadow Play) and driver Chip Lackey surged from the gate and were the first to find the front, but they were immediately challenged by race favorite Hottieonthehorizon (Luke Plano) who took over the top well before the quarter while JK My Girl got away sharply in third and the timer flashed :27.3.

Bettor Trix N (Rick Magee), who had briefly dropped in fourth from post seven, launched an early attack to go after the front and cleared the top near the (:56.3) half mile juncture, while Always Choose Chip (Brady Jenson) also moved out and was then caught first-over down the backside.

Rockin With Lou (Dean Magee) had followed the outer flow, then tipped 3-wide heading for the far turn and the field was stacked up as they passed three-quarters in 1:25.1.

Bettor Trix N was under siege as they rounded for home and Rockin With Lou continued to pace strong to take a short lead, while Hottieonthehorizon surged inside, and Always Choose Chip fought on gamely.

Gottalovemyshadow had saved ground throughout and was angled to the far outside in the lane and she had plenty of late pace to surge past her rivals and score a 10-1 upset in a thrilling finish, stopping the timer in 1:54.1 for a one-length tally. Rockin With Lou had to settle for second, over Hottieonthehorizon and Always Choose Chip.

GOTTALOVEMYSHADOW REPLAY

Gottalovemyshadow ($23.40) is an 8-year-old mare owned by Joseph Scanio, James Cosenza and trainer Maria Alvarez. She races from the Williams Hernandez stable and now shows six wins in 24 starts this year, and career stats of 32 wins and $306,807.

All American N (Muscle Hill, Plano, $3.00) won the Open Handicap Trot in gate-to-wire fashion for two in a row, holding off longshot Resita (Rick Magee) by a neck in 1:55.3 for his seventh win in 13 starts this year. He is also owned and trained by Maria Alvarez and races from the Williams Hernandez stable.

ALL AMERICAN N REPLAY

Graceful Horizon (Vertical Horizon, Rick Magee, $4.00) was much the best in the Mares Open II Handicap pace, scoring by 5-1/2 lengths in 1:53.1 over Shesureissomething (Kerwood) and Tenthousand Angels (Plano) for her second local win in 3 local outings. The winner is owned by Set The Pace Racing and trained by Jessica Johnson.

Cobra Venom (Southwind Cobra, Gary Magee, $20.20) made it 2 wins in a row by taking the sophomore male trot by 1-1/4 lengths over Shadow Fax (Detgen) in a career best 1:59 with longshot TA Woody Azzzz (Jenson) getting third. The winner is also owned by Gary as well as Donna Magee.

Scroll On By (Banker Volo, Rick Magee, $8.60) picked up her fifth seasonal win in the sophomore filly trot, winning a 3-way photo by a head in 1:57.4 for a new career mark. Willamar Spark (Dean Magee) was second best and CR Promise To You (Jenson) was a close third. The winner is owned by Kennedy Roland and trained by Dan Roland.

Rick Magee led the program with a driving triple, while Luke Plano and trainer Maria Alvarez both posted doubles.

Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday (August 23) and will feature ‘Dollar Night’ specials. The ten-race program will also offer a $15,179 carryover in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager. First post is at 7 p.m. (CDT).

For complete race results, click here.