24-1 longshot takes Open Trot

Columbus, MN – The Sunday night (June 9) harness racing program at Running Aces included lots of notable races and was highlighted by an upset performance in the $15,500 Open Handicap Trot event.

Warrawee Whisper (Trixton) drew post position one in the seven-horse affair and was given little respect by the betting public who sent the 8-year-old away at 24-1 on the board.

Trainer/driver Brady Jenson stepped on the gas pedal early to fend off a bid by Winner Up (Nick Roland) who tried for the lead but had to settle for the pocket position and Dylan The Great (Luke Plano) landed in third as Warrawee Whisper laid down solid early fractions in :27.2 and :56.3 while race-favorite Majestic J (Elson Miller) jumped it off in the early stages.

Warrawee Whisper and Jenson kept on going strong and opened up by more than three lengths around the far turn, posting a sharp :28.1 third panel while Special Mission (Todd Warren) got rolling from fourth and tried to track down the leader.

Special Mission continued to close in the lane but was unable to catch the leader, as Warrawee Whisper ($51.60) got home three-quarters of a length to the good in the sharp 1:54 mile. Louis rallied late to pick up third money while well back of the top pair.

WARRAWEE WHISPER REPLAY

The winner is owned by Jenson, as well as Ken Stauffer. It was the third win of the season for Warrawee Whisper who now shows career earnings of $286,171. He paid $51.60 to win.

Greentea (Greenshoe) and driver Luke Plano made a big move to the front early and held off a late challenge by Orlando Hanover (Warren) to capture the $15,000 Banker Volo trotting series final by a neck in 1:59.3 for owner Jana Lee Rucker and trainer Elson Miller. The three-year-old colt now shows 2 wins from five career outings. He paid $2.80 to win.

GREENTEA REPLAY

DP Freedoms Chrome (For You Almostfree) and driver James Gould made a mid-race move to the lead and then drew away at every call to capture the $21,000 Minnesota-sired sophomore ‘A’ trot by 8-3/4 lengths in a career best 1:58, while Banker’s Grace was second best and Banker’s Quest rounded out the trifecta. The winner is owned by Aimes Racing and trained by Elvin Zimmerman. He paid $2.80 to win)

DP FREEDOMS CHROME REPLAY

Piggly Wiggly (Nick Roland, $31.60) posted a career best gate-to-wire victory in the $14,000 sophomore ‘B’ trot in 2:00.4, getting home three lengths better than American Cross (Gould) while Adeline Rose (Rick Magee) checked in third. It was the second career win from 8 career starts for Piggly Wiggly, who is owned by Set The Pace Racing and is trained by Roland.

Driver Brad Irvine and trainer Laura Shock led the Sunday program with 3 wins each, while Brady Jenson and Luke Plano both posted doubles.

Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday night (June 11) for a nine-race program that will get underway with first post at 7 p.m. (CDT) and will feature a carryover of $13,314.61 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager which will begin in race five.

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

by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces