By Darin Gagne, for Running Aces Casino Hotel and Racetrack
Running Aces hosted the track’s weekly top trotting events on the Sunday (June 12) Harness Racing program and for the second straight week Pridecrest stole the show.
The classy 10-year-old son of Angus Hall delivered another thrilling finish to capture the $16,500 Open Handicap in 1:55.3 with regular pilot Mooney Svendsen in the sulky.
Svendsen worked out a perfect pocket trip for Pridecrest who left quickly from post five to get a forward spot during a quick :27.3 opening panel that saw All American N (Luke Plano) battle for the lead and then make a costly break leaving Star Track Hanover on top.
Pridecrest then followed Star Track Hanover (Dean Magee) the rest of the way while Bordogna (Rick Magee) came first up with a strong challenge during the middle stages (:57.2 and 1:26.3) and Silverhill Volo saved ground at the pylons.
The top four were stacked up across the track in mid-stretch and Pridecrest ($9.40) kicked into high gear on the inside to sweep by for a 1-3/4 length tally and career win number 52 with Silverhill Volo and Chip Lackey getting up for second over Star Track Hanover.
The winner is owned by Christopher Schick and trained by Kathleen Plested.
The $13,000 Open II Trot went to Rush To The Bank (Nick Roland, $3.40) who posted a very impressive front-running win from post three to deliver as the favorite.
The 4-year-old son of Banker Volo took a new career mark in the process and was 1-1/2 lengths ahead of Spice It Up and Daytona Dreamin at the wire in 1:57.
Rush To The Bank is owned by Jeralene Roland and Vickie Rush and is trained by Dan Roland.
The $9,700 sophomore Open trot went to CR Promise To You who got away second from post two and then was activated early by driver Brady Jenson to go for the lead near the halfway mark.
Once on the front, the Tom Ridge filly trotted strong and was able to fend off a strong effort by heavy favorite Scroll On By (Tony Kerwood) who came first-up from mid pack and then dropped in the pocket until trying another mid-stretch bid.
CR Promise To You ($16.60) held gamely for a 3/4 length tally in a career best 1:57 for owners Rick and Mr. Carol Huffman and Keith Wilson and trainer Justin Anfinson.
Scroll On By was well ahead of Romantic Warrior who picked up third.
Brian Detgen, Brady Jenson, and Justin Anfinson all posted doubles on the Sunday card.
One lucky player solved the 20 cent Pick-5 Jackpot with a single unique winning ticket to collect $27,474.58 while nobody was able to solve the Late Pick-4 which sparks a $5,330 carryover for Tuesday (June 14) for the Early Pick-4 pool.
Post Time at Running Aces is 7:00 pm (CDT) every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
