Barbosa posted his second consecutive gate-to-wire victory during the Sunday (July 9) program of live racing at Running Aces.
Barbosa ($3.60), a six-year-old pacing gelding by General Aidid, stopped the clock in 1:54.1 in a $7,000 claiming-conditioned event with trainer/driver Luke Plano aboard for owner Heather Mathews. Plano sent his pacer right to the lead from Post 5 in the seven-horse affair and set reasonable fractions (:28.1, :57.4, 1:26.1) before posting a strong final quarter of :28 to seal the deal and register career win No. 26.
The $13,000 Minnesota-Sired 3 year old Filly Trot went to Silent Dreams, who picked up her first win of the year in a lifetime best 2:02.2 with Dean Magee in the sulky for trainer Rick Bertrand and owners Glen and Jody Wilson. Silent Dreams ($7.40) was the two-year-old Minnesota champion filly last year, and has now earned $64,690 in 13 lifetime races.
Eleven-year-old gelding pacer Mighty Fine Hi Ho ($5.00) posted his fastest lifetime win (1:54.3) in what was his 40th lifetime victory from 266 career starts. The sharp campaigner is owned and trained by Edwin Quevedo and was driven to victory by Dean Magee, with an impressive rally from well off the pace and a winning three-wide move around the final turn. The win also pushed his bankroll over the century mark to $100,543.
Steve Wiseman, James Yoder, and Dean Magee all completed driving doubles on the Sunday program.
The next card of live harness racing at Running Aces will head to post on Tuesday, July 11 at 7:00 p.m. (CT) with a carryover in the 20-cent Jackpot Pick-5 wager of $7,631.79.
(Running Aces)