Running Aces announces purse increase

Columbus, MN – Running Aces is happy to announce that there will be a fifteen percent (approximate) across-the-board purse increase starting on Sunday (August 8).

The condition sheets reflecting the new purse structure will be posted on Tuesday (August 3). With the increase, the bottom purse will be $3,800 for Maidens, and at the top end- the Open Pace, Fillies and Mares Open, and Open Trot will all now go for $13,800 each.

In addition to the overnight races, the Minnesota-Sired events will also see a fifteen percent purse increase starting on August 8.

Trotters were in the Harness Racing spotlight at Running Aces on Sunday (August 1) with two divisions of the Minnesota-Sired sophomore trot going post-ward for $12,500 in each split.

The filly division drew a field of seven with heavy 1-2 favorite Coatofmanycolors (Nick Roland) drawing the outside and trying for her sixth straight win.

Roland sent the public choice to the front at the start and faced an early challenge from It’s So Fluffy (Tony Kerwood) who took control and led until the backstretch before Roland and Coatofmanycolors surged past to re-claim command.

Company came as soon as they cleared back to the lead as Rick Magee was on the attack with The Royal Queen and the two fillies squared off for the final quarter-mile.

As they straightened for home it was clearly The Royal Queen ($7.20) who had the most trot to the wire and she drew clear to post a two-length victory in a career best 1:58.3 mile while Coatofmanycolors held second and It’s So Fluffy checked in third. The winner is by Tom Ridge and has now won two races in a row for owner/trainer Justin Anfinson.

THE ROYAL QUEEN REPLAY

The $12,500 male division went to SB Sampson’s Ridge who dominated the affair after taking control just past the quarter pole from heavy favorite Rush To The Bank (Nick Roland) who was forced to relinquish the lead and follow along in the pocket.

The fractions were moderate (:29.3, 1:01.1 and 1:31.1) and SB Sampson’s Ridge had plenty left in the tank to defeat Rush To The Bank by 1-1/2 lengths in 2:01 for trainer/driver Rick Magee. Oh Danny Boy (Tony Kerwood) was home in third. The winner is a gelding, also by Tom Ridge, owned by Mikaela Del Giudice.

SB SAMPSON’S RIDGE REPLAY

The $7,100 Minnesota-Sired four year-olds and up trot went to SB Madam Secretary (Tony Kerwood, $7.00) for her first win of the season. The 4 year-old mare (also by Tom Ridge) swept from the back of the pack in the final quarter mile to surge past her rivals and get up for a half-length score in a career best 1:57 mile.

Teachmehowtotory (Nick Roland) was home second and race favorite SD Eliminator checked in third. The winner is owned by Susan Holm-Johansen and Deborah Hofsaess and is trained by Ulf Holm-Johansen.

The $12,000 Open Handicap Trot feature went to heavy-favorite Bordogna (Nick Roland) for two wins in a row. All American N (Dean Magee) controlled the event while Bordogna kept close tabs in the pocket and Mandeville (Gerald Longo) sat third.

In the homestretch it was clearly a two-horse affair as All American N tried to fend off Bordogna ($3.20) who rallied in the passing lane and nailed the victory by a nose in 1:56.2 for his 25^th career tally. Hearduwhispermynam (Brady Jenson) was third best in the six horse contest. The winner is a five year old stallion by Trixton, owned by Cathy Dessert and Ken Stauffer and trained by Justin Anfinson.

Drivers Rick Magee, Nick Roland and Dean Magee all registered doubles on the card, while trainers Ariel Alvarez and Justin Anfinson each posted a double on Sunday.

Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday (August 5) with first post at 6:05 pm (CDT) and will feature a carryover of $12,257.47 in the 20 cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager.

For full race results, click here.

by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces