Flameon scores in Running Aces return

The Running Aces Harness Racing Season opener went to post on Saturday night, May 20, and while the weather gods didn’t exactly cooperate with us, an exciting card of harness racing went to post nonetheless despite an all day long deluge of rain.

The opening night $10,000 Open Trot feature went to Flameon (by Angus Hall) who was confidently driven by Moonie Svendsen, they sat in the pocket behind rival Banker Volo (Luke Plano) who was the 8-5 choice in the wagering. Flameon powered past in the lane to beat Banker Volo by ¾ of a length in 1:58.0 and post his first win in 3 starts this season for owner/trainer Mark Anderson. Flameon ($8.40) is no stranger to the Aces winners circle, as he has been a top contender at the Open Trot level here for the past couple of seasons. Tonight’s tally was the 21st lifetime score for the 7 year old gelding, and pushed his career bankroll over the century mark to $100,570.

The fastest mile of the night over the sloppy surface was turned in by Tornado Henry ($14.80), a 6 year old gelding pacer by Henry Clay, who kicked off a natural driving hat-trick for veteran reinsman Steve Wiseman with a ½ length tally in 1:56.4 from a second over trip. He also shared in the fastest winning final quarter time of the evening (29.0). Tornado Henry is owned by Scott Ehrlich and trained by Kathie Plested Wiseman.

Hairway to Heaven, a 4 year old pacing mare by Barber Pole, posted the biggest upset of the evening with a 30-1 shocker for owner/trainer/driver Gerald Longo. It was the 4th win of the season in 15 starts for Hairway to Heaven who delighted her backers with a $63.40 win mutuel.

Wiseman’s hat-trick topped the charts on opening night, while Moonie Svendsen picked up a back-to-back double in races 5 & 6 to take second honors.

Live Racing returns on Sunday, May 21 with a first post of 6:00 CDT, and will be held every Tuesday at 7:00 pm CT, and Saturdays and Sundays at 6:00 pm CT now through September 16.

By Darin Gagne, Running Aces Track Announcer