By Darin Gagne, For Running Aces
July 20, 2022
The Tuesday night (July 19) Harness Racing program at Running Aces featured the Open II Pace, with a full field of nine going to post in the $13,000 contest.
Shark Play with driver Williams Hernandez was quickest from the gate and established firm control early, posting a quick opening panel of :27.1. Albergo Hanover (Chip Lackey) followed from the pocket and What Ya Thinkin (Brady Jenson) settled in third. Pancetta (Luke Plano) was caught first up from the outside post but he was not able to make much of an impression on the leaders as Shark Play began to open up on the field.
As they straightened in the lane Shark Play was in a race of his own and the battle was on for the minor spoils, with EL’S Disco Johnny (Nick Roland) grabbing the second spot in a three-way photo over What Ya Thinkin and Albergo Hanover. The winning margin was 9-1/2 lengths. The mile was recorded in 1:51, a career best.
Shark Play ($7.00) is a 6-year-old son of Shadyshark Hanover and is owned by Jose Cervantes and races from the Williams Hernandez stable with trainer Maria Alvarez.
Iron Sharpens Iron ($3.00) dominated the $19,800 Minnesota-Sired freshman ‘A’ trot with a gate-to-wire score by 10-1/2 lengths in 2:01.4 with Plano in the sulky for owner Jeralene Roland and trainer Dan Roland. Freeman Freddy (Brandon Jenson) was second best and Caronamar (Rick Magee) was home in third. The top two finishers are both sons of Banker Volo.
Whata Tettegouche (Plano, $2.40) posted a sharp looking three length win in his career debut to seize the $13,200 ‘B’ division in 2:02.1 as the overwhelming favorite. Al Mar Vestal Wind (Mooney Svendsen) was second best with ST Charles Saint (Roland) third.
The winner is a son of Braggart and is owned by Mitchell Banks and Rebecca Sandbulte-Banks and is trained by Craig Banks.
Nick Roland led the program with a driving triple, while both Luke Plano and Dean Magee had doubles.
Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday (July 21) and will feature a carryover of $12,062 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager. First post is at 7 p.m. (CDT).
