By Darin Gagne’, for Running Aces Casino, Hotel and Racetrack
August 17, 2022
Driver Dean Magee stole the show at Running Aces on Tuesday night (August 16) with five driving wins on the ten-race program.
Magee posted his first win with a dramatic comeback score aboard 3-year-old pacing gelding Down It (Downbytheseaside) in race four.
After making a miscue just after the start, Down It ($10.40) was sixteen lengths back at the quarter and more than 14 lengths behind at the half, trailing in ninth position. He was still seventh by more than 10 lengths around the far turn and near the top of the lane, but Magee guided him to the far outside and he got rolling late, charging by the field to get up by a head at the wire in 1:57.3 for his second career win.
The winner is owned by Rick and Mr. Caroll Huffman and Keith Wilson, and is trained by Justin Anfinson.
Magee added wins in race five (Northbrook Ron, $4.40), race seven (EL’S Disco Johnny, $5.00), race eight (Watchmeneighneigh, $2.60) and capped off his big night in race ten with his own trainee Just B Talking, who delivered as the 6-5 favorite from post eight with a 2-1/2 length tally in 1:54.1 for his fourth win in ten starts this season.
Caliber ($2.80) was much the best again in the featured $16,500 Open Handicap pace in 1:51, posting a gate-to-wire score by 1-1/4 lengths over A Major Omen (Tony Kerwood) with SB Bodacious (Rick Magee) checking in third. The impressive 5-year-old son of Sweet Lou has notched 8 wins in 20 starts this year for owners Terrence Smith and Tony Beltrami and trainer Maria Alvarez. Luke Plano was the winning pilot, one of three wins on the night for him.
EL’S Disco Johnny ($5.00) held off all challengers to wire the field in the $13,000 Open II pace by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:52.3 over longshot Albergo Hanover (Chip Lackey) with race favorite Alilthundadownunda (Brian Detgen) checking in third. It was the sixth win of the year in 26 starts for the 4-year-old son of Always A Virgin, who is owned and trained by Gerald Longo, who had two wins on the card.
Iron Sharpens Iron (Plano, $2.40) made it 5 wins in a row in the $16,500 Minnesota-sired freshman male trot, going gate-to-wire from post eight in 2:00, with Whata Tettegouche (Dean Magee) getting home second and longshot BP’S Lucky Star (Chad Svendsen) picking up the show spot.
The winner is a son of Banker Volo. He has now won 7 of 8 career races for owner Jeralene Roland and trainer Dan Roland.
Al-Mar Richs Jetta (Brandon Jenson, $5.20) posted a dominating 5-3/4 length score in a career best 2:02 in the $16,500 Minnesota-sired freshman filly trot for her second career victory. SV Lil Martina (Rick Magee) was second best and After Thought (James Gould) completed the trifecta.
The winner is a daughter of Lear Jetta, owned by Larry Jenson and trained by Brady Jenson. Those connections teamed up for two wins on the program.
Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday (August 18) and the nine-race program will feature a carryover of $11,541.76 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager. First post is set for 7 p.m. (CDT).
