Three $25,000 Invitationals held at Running Aces

Columbus, MN – The Friday night (September 16) harness racing program at Running Aces was loaded with feature events and they all provided plenty of excitement to the fans, with all three of the Invitational events being decided by less than one length at the finish.

The inaugural $25,000 Banker Volo trot was contested at a mile and a quarter distance, which was a first for Running Aces. The fans on the apron got to see a thrilling start that saw four across the track in the early strides of the event, with Mind Yown Business (Lockkeeper) and driver Brady Jenson leaving fast from post one and heavy favorite All American N (Luke Plano) also powering off the gate from post six.

All American N established the lead before they hit the backside for the first time and Jenson was content to get the pocket position with Mind Yown Business as Mandeville (Tony Kerwood) settled into third and Fox Valley Britzka (Dean Magee) claimed the fourth spot. The early fractions included a solid opening panel of :28.2 and the first half mile was completed in :58.1.

The field continued to play follow the leader as they rounded past the three-quarters in 1:28.

As they made their way down the backside for the second time, Pridecrest and Bordogna both tipped out from the back of the pack, but they failed to make much of an impression on the leaders. The mile was completed in 1:57.3 and as they rounded the final turn it was clearly a two-horse affair.

All American N turned for home with a half-length lead, but Mind Yown Business was loaded with trot and was drawing closer with every stride and those two battled head-to-head through deep stretch, with Mind Yown Business ($15.40) getting the upper hand in the final strides to post a three-quarter length tally in 2:27.2, establishing a track record for the distance. Mandeville was third best.

MIND YOWN BUSINESS REPLAY

The winner is owned by Dirk Simpson Stable and Larry Barnett and is also trained by Jenson. The 6-year-old now shows 5 wins and $73,120 in earnings this season.

The $25,000 Goody Two Socks Invitational pace went to A Major Omen (Art Major) and driver Tony Kerwood, who delivered another impressive last-to-first sweep to make it 4 wins in a row and 13 wins this year.

Kerwood was content to settle in last as Caliber and Saddle Up went to the front during the quick opening fractions of :26.4 and :55.

Caliber continued to pace strong in the third panel (1:22.3) to keep his rivals in chase mode while A Major Omen tipped three-wide from the back of the pack.

Turning for home, Caliber was on fumes and Saddle Up tipped from the pocket as PD The Big Easy took the inside lane and A Major Omen surged on the outside. The thrilling three-way battle went to A Major Omen by a half-length in 1:51.3.

A MAJOR OMEN REPLAY

The winner is owned and trained by Gerald Longo and paid $3.00 to win.

The $25,000 Dandy Di Distaff pace went to Rockin With Lou (Sweet Lou) and driver Dean Magee, to complete a feature race double for owner/trainer Longo.

Graceful Horizon and Hottieonthehorizon made the pace while Rockin With Lou took back to last. Magee activated the daughter of Sweet Lou down the backside and she came three-deep around the home turn and proceeded to sweep by the leaders in the lane to post a half-length score in 1:54.

ROCKIN WITH LOU REPLAY

It was the 14th win of the season and 30th career win for Rockin With Lou who paid $8.60 to win.

Its A Marcs World delivered a sharp gate-to-wire score in the $15,000 Minnesota-sired Consolation for aged male pacers.

Driver Brian Detgen went right to the front with the sharp son of Marced Card while Ridonkuloso followed in the pocket and Frewil Dakota Sven paced third.

There was never an anxious moment for Its A Marcs World ($5.00) and he drew away late for a 2-1/2 length tally in 1:53. Ridonkuloso held second and Dance Traveler was well back in third.

The winner is owned by Royal Roland and Carol Polkowske and is trained by Jessica Johnson.

Live Racing returns to Running Aces for Night of Champions on Saturday (September 17) which will close out the 2022 season.

The 12-race program features all of the Minnesota-sired divisional Championship races, each going for $60,000 for a total of $720,000 in purses on the night.

There will be mandatory payouts in all pools on the Saturday program, and the 20-cent Pick-5 wager offers a carryover of $2,898.31 and an instant guarantee of $10,000.

Post Time for the season closing card Saturday is at 7 p.m. (CDT).

For complete race results, click here.

by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces