Six in a row for Alilthundadownunda

Columbus, MN – Alilthundadownunda did not disappoint his growing legion of harness eacing fans, as he posted another impressive harness racing win at Running Aces on Thursday night (July 15) in the $16,000 Minnesota-Sired Sophomore pace.

Trainer/driver Nick Roland saw a host of other horses leaving for the front and opted to settle away fifth from post nine while Maze (Rick Magee) made the early pace (:28 seconds) and SD Watchmenow (Brian Detgen) followed in the pocket.

Roland got out and moving with Alilthundadownunda near the (:58.2) half mile juncture and began to advance toward the leader. The top two traded blows around the far turn as they completed three panels in 1:27.1 and they were noses apart as they turned for home. In mid-stretch Alilthundadownunda ($3.60) began to get the upper hand and edged away from a very game Maze while SD Watchmenow was well clear of the rest in third.

The ¾ length victory in 1:55 completed six wins in a row for the gelded son of Malak Uswaad N who has now won 8 of 13 starts this season for owners Set The Pace Racing.

ALILTHUNDADOWNUNDA REPLAY

The $12,000 Mares Open Handicap pace went to Hottieonthehorizon (Luke Plano, $2.80) for the second straight week as she posted an impressive gate-to-wire score in 1:53.1 for her sixth win of the season. Bearly Behavin was second best and Always Be Lucy got home in third. The winner is owned by Leslie Godlien and Rick Lancaster, and is trained by Nick Roland.

The $12,500 Minnesota-Sired Freshman filly pace went to Park With Me Nancy (Nick Roland, $15.20), a daughter of Wind Me Up who closed from off the pace to post a two length tally in 1:56 in her first pari-mutuel start. Give Me This Dance (Jacob Cutting) was home in second and Gold Star Snoball checked in third. The top two finishers are both owned by Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte, and trained by Justin Anfinson.

The $12,500 Minnesota-Sired Freshman colts & geldings event went to Lovin On You (Rick Magee, $2.80) for two wins in a row as the gelded son of Easy Again lowered his career mark to 1:56.3 with a 1-1/2 length score over pace-setter Roscoe P Coletrain. The winner is owned by Jesse De Long and is also trained by Magee.

Nick Roland also posted driving wins with Yjuliahos ($6.80) in 1:55.1 and Senseless Beauty ($11.40) in 1:55.4 to complete his second straight driving grand-slam. Rick Magee also posted a driving double on the program, and Roland had three training wins as well.

Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (July 18) with first post at 6:05 pm (CDT) and will feature a carryover of $3,815.34 in the 20 cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager.

For full race results, click here.

By Darin Gagne’, for Running Aces