Sophomore gelding now four-for-four in Minnesota

Columbus, MN – Sophomore pacer Curvsreasyondaeyes (Easy Again) delivered another sharp performance at Running Aces on Thursday (July 14) to remain unbeaten in four starts this year.

The impressive gelding did not disappoint the betting public, who sent him off as the 4-5 choice in the $16,500 boys split of the Minnesota-sired 3-year-old pace.

Driver Luke Plano eased away from the gate in mid-pack before launching an early move to the front near the quarter pole and taking control well before the half mile juncture.

The early tempo was honest (:28.1 and :57.4) and Plano turned up the speed (:28.1) in the third stanza to maintain a firm hold over the affair.

Hankscoltfortyfive (Nick Roland) was the early leader and was a strong presence in the pocket thereafter and was second best in the 1:54.4 mile, while Lovin On You (Dean Magee) made a nice rally from the back of the pack to finish a strong third.

Hottieonthehorizon (Vertical Horizon) posted another impressive win in the $16,500 Mares Open Handicap Pace for her fourth win in her last six starts.

Nick Roland piloted the 6-year-old to the 1-1/4 length tally by orchestrating a perfect trip. They left from post five and secured the pocket while Rockin With Lou (Gerald Longo) made the pace.

The top two held firm as Rollin Withholly A (Rick Magee) made a first-over bid down the backside.

In the lane Rockin With Lou was game, but Hottieonthehorizon ($3.60) was loaded with pace and exploded from the pocket to surge past for the win, while Always Choose Chip (Brady Jenson) rallied wide from the back of the pack to pick up third money.

The winner is owned by Leslie Godlien and trainer Rick Lancaster.

Fillister Photo (Easy Again, $8.20) captured the $16,500 freshman filly pace in 2:00.1 with a sharp drive by Chad Svendsen.

After leaving quickly from post six to take the early lead, Svendsen then yielded and sat patiently until the homestretch and steered the filly into the passing lane to rally past Anotherflashywoman (Roland) and Hot N Fancy (Plano) in a thrilling finish.

The winner is owned by Penny Lundell and is trained by Joel Mc Danel.

Kawabunga (Wind Me Up) charged home late to capture the $16,500 freshman boys pace with a 1-3/4 length victory on career debut with Plano in the bike.

Hollywood Double (Rick Magee) made the pace and held third while Dougsmonkeybusines made a big impression in the late stages of the affair and was home in second in the 2:01 mile.

Kawabunga ($3.60) is owned by his breeder Van Otterloo Stables and is trained by Robert Lems.

Give Me This Dance (Wind Me Up, Dean Magee, $3.60) posted her 11th win of the season with a game front-running score by a neck over stablemate Anotherblazinwoman (Plano) in 1:55.4 in the $16,500 sophomore filly pace.

Kitty Wampus (Mooney Svendsen) rallied late for third over Bekkums Fancy Star (Brian Detgen).

The winner is owned by Alan & Cheryl Sandbulte and trained by Justin Anfinson.

Drivers Luke Plano and Nick Roland each posted a grand slam on the Thursday program and remain tied at the top of the dash-winning leaderboard at 45 wins apiece. Plano recorded a natural sweep of races 2-5 while Roland won four of the last five contests of the night.

Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (July 17) for Pepsi Family Night and will feature the Dan Patch FFA eliminations highlighting a ten race program that gets underway at 7 p.m. (CDT).

For complete race entries, click here.