Iron Sharpens Iron, A Major Omen Grab Tuesday Headlines at Aces

By Darin Gagne’, for Running Aces Casino, Hotel and Racetrack

August 24, 2022

Iron Sharpens Iron and A Major Omen turned in two of the most impressive performances on the Tuesday night (August 23) program at Running Aces.

Iron Sharpens Iron started from post nine in the $19,800 Minnesota-sired freshman ‘A’ trot and was sent off as the 1-9 favorite while looking for his sixth win in a row. Driver Luke Plano wasted little time in getting the sharp son of Banker Volo to the front of the contest, settling on top near the quarter mile mark. From there, the only remaining questions were what the winning margin would be and if he would lower his track record time from earlier this month. The answers were 4-3/4 lengths and a resounding yes. He posted a final time of 1:59.2 lowering the track mark for two-year-old male trotters by one-fifth of a second.

Whata Tettegouche (Dean Magee) was second best for the fifth consecutive time, and Al Mar Richs Jetta (Brandon Jenson) rallied from well back to pick up third money.

Iron Sharpens Iron ($2.20) now shows 8 wins in 9 career starts and has bankrolled $61,805 to date for owner/breeder Jeralene Roland and trainer Dan Roland.

A Major Omen (Tony Kerwood, $8.60) posted a very gritty first-over win in the $19,800 Open Handicap pace for his tenth win in 26 starts this season. Race favorite Caliber (Plano) was fastest from the gate from post six setting quick fractions up front (:26.4, :55.2 and 1:23). Saddle Up (Dean Magee) also left alertly from post five to secure the pocket and Zanetti (Rick Magee) got away in third. A Major Omen dropped into fifth from post seven before he was activated by Kerwood near the 3/8 marker. The impressive son of Art Major closed in methodically on the leader and drew alongside as they turned for home and was able to take down his top rival by a half-length at the wire in 1:51.4 with Saddle Up checking in third.

The winner is owned and trained by Gerald Longo.

Wisco Wild Card ($3.40) posted his first career win in the $13,200 freshman ‘B’ trot with a sharp looking gate-to-wire score by 1-1/4 lengths in 2:01.3 over Azteca Your Money (Brady Jenson) who was an impressive second. Conway’s Pipsqueak (Plano) was well back of the top pair but did rally for third money.

The winner is a son of Southwind Flash, he was piloted by Tony Kerwood for owners Debra and Rick Davis.

Also on Tuesday, reigning Minnesota Harness Horse of the Year Alilthundadownunda (Brian Detgen, $3.40) picked up his eighth win of 2022 in a $12,000 conditioned pace in 1:53.3, sending his seasonal earnings to $111,286 for owner Set The Pace Racing and trainer Jessica Johnson.

Dean Magee, Rick Magee, Plano and Kerwood all registerted driving doubles on the Tuesday card, along with a double for trainer Jose Castillo.

Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday (August 25) with a ten-race program that will feature a carryover of $16,995.44 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager. First post is at 7 p.m. (CDT).