Toccoa Falls wins thrilling Open Trot finish

Columbus, MN – The Sunday night (August 25) harness racing program at Running Aces featured top-level trotters in the $15,500 Open Handicap.

A six-pack of accomplished square-gaiters lined up for the feature with track record holder Domovoy (Jacob Cutting) held in high regard as the favorite at just over even money.

Cutting wasted no time in getting to the front with Domovoy while Yo Lucky Moni left quickly to secure the pocket and Toccoa Falls trotted away in third through solid opening fractions of :27.4 Toccoa Fallsand :56.

Trainer/driver Williams Hernandez got rolling down the backside and came first-up with Toccoa Falls (Trixton) while Bringoverthemoney (Dean Magee) followed his cover and Majestic J (Elson Miller) tried a three-wide bid around the far turn as they registered three-panels in 1:24.2.

In the homestretch Domovoy was facing challengers on both sides as Yo Lucki Money surged inside and Toccoa Falls surged outside. Those three put on a thrilling battle in the final strides of the contest and put the photo finish camera into high gear.

After close examination, the photo image showed that Toccoa Falls had gotten his nose home first, just in front of Domovoy with Yo Lucky Moni finishing third while beaten by just a head in the 1:54 mile.

It was the third win of the season for Toccoa Falls ($18.00) who is a 7-year-old and now shows 22 career wins win earnings of $386,146. The winner is owned by Terrence Smith.

TOCCOA FALLS REPLAY

Iron Sharpens Iron (Banker Volo) and driver Brad Irvine posted a sharp closing effort to draw away late and capture the $12,700 Open II handicap trot in 1:56.1 for his third win in his last four starts and his 24^th career win.

Help Page (Sean Smithpeters) went a huge first-over trip to be second best and longshot Silverhill Volo (James Lackey) got up for third.

The winner is a 4-year-old owned and trained by Dan Roland. He paid $11.00 to win.

IRON SHARPENS IRON REPLAY

Wherever Rio Goes (Tamarind) and driver Sean Smithpeters posted a career best gate-to-wire effort to win the $9,000 sophomore Open Hacndicap trot in 1:57.4 over Banker’s Grace and Orlando Hanover.

It was the second career win for owner/trainer and breeder Alexia Kehl. He paid $11.40 to win.

WHEREVER RIO GOES REPLAY

Smithpeters, and Kehl, as well as Justin Anfinson and Hernandez all posted doubles on the Sunday program.

Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday night (August 27) for Invisible Wounds Project night with a nine-race program starting at 7 p.m. (CDT).

There is a work gloves giveaway and sponsored memorial races benefitting the Invisible Wounds Project which serves Military members and First Responders dealing with PTSD and other mental health issues.

The Tuesday program will also offer ‘Dollar Night’ specials, trout fishing, kid’s activities, food trucks and drawings for free bets.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces