47-1 Topville Rocknluck wins in major upset

Columbus, MN – The top-level Open Handicap pacers were in the spotlight at Running Aces on Tuesday evening (Sept. 5) and the $17,600 featured pace went to post with a talented field of nine harness racing competitors.

The two outside horses were fastest off the car, as Caliber (Luke Plano, pp.8) and last week’s winner American Dreamer (Todd Warren, pp. 9) traded turns on the lead while Maui (James Lackey) settled away in third from the inside draw through the opening panel in :27.

The top three remained that way through the middle fractions of :55 and 1:22.4 while race favorite Mac’s Marvel (Brady Jenson) began a first-over grind from mid-pack and was joined by Topville Rocknluck (Luck be Withyou, Nick Roland) as they headed for the far turn.

Rounding into the homestretch Mac’s Marvel began to draw on even terms with the leader and Roland tipped Topville Rocknluck wide for the stretch drive and was loaded with pace. Mac’s Marvel forged to a short lead near the wire, but Topville Rocknluck was too strong in the final strides and got up by a half a length to record a career best win in 1:51.4 over Mac’s Marvel. Caliber just nosed out American Dreamer for third money in a close photo.

TOPVILLE ROCKNLUCK REPLAY

Topville Rocknluck was dismissed in the win pool at 47-1 and returned a hefty $96.20 for every $2 win ticket. The 4-year-old is owned by Wilson Racing Stable and Ann Calvert, and is trained by Tim Wilson, Jr. along with assistant Jenni De Menge. The victory also pushed his career earnings past the $100,000 mark.

DP Freedoms Chrome (For You Almostfree) remains undefeated after another impressive win in the $22,000 Minnesota-sired freshman ‘A’ trot with a track record mile in 1:59.1 by 2-3/4 lengths over Banker’s Quest and Insurrectionist.

Driver James Gould wasted no time in getting the star colt to the front of the affair, taking the lead from Banker’s Quest (Mooney Svendsen) just after the :29.2 quarter mile before leading comfortably and registering middle fractions of 1:00.1 and 1:30 .1. He turned up the speed for the final quarter (:29) and was never in doubt, coasting home to lower his own track record for freshman trotting colts and delivering as the 1-2 favorite.

DP FREEDOMS CHROME REPLAY

The winner is now a perfect 9-for-9 lifetime for owner Aimes Racing and trainer Elvin Zimmerman.

Magnolia Moonlight (Banker Volo, Lackey, $3.00) dominated the $14,500 freshman ‘B’ trot event with a 3-1/4 length tally in a career best 2:01.3 over longshot Adira Disa (Jenson) and Magical Zamboni (Plano) for her second career win in four career starts for owner/trainer and breeder Jenni King.

Drivers Nick Roland and Brady Jenson led the Tuesday program with two wins each.

Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday (September 7) for a nine-race program that will feature a pair of carryovers: $2,544.21 for the 50-cent Early Pick-4 wager starting in race two, and $1,720.89 for the 50-cent Hi-5 in race four. There is also a $3,000 Guarantee for the 50-cent Late Pick-4 starting in race six. First post at Running Aces is 7 p.m. (CDT).

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