The Tuesday evening (May 30) harness racing program at Running Aces featured the weekly Open Handicap Pace, which drew a field of seven for the $18,500 contest.
New shooter Hezzz A Wise Sky (Todd Warren) was sent off as the slight 7-5 favourite in the main event and was coming in off a big win at Harrah’s Hoosier Park last time out, while Saddle Up was making his third local start after back-to-back runner up showings and was also heavily supported at 3-2.
The two favourites dominated the affair, with Saddle Up blasting off the gate from post five to quickly take the early lead before Hezzz A Wise Sky came calling for the lead from post seven near the quarter pole, and took over control before the three-eighths juncture while Shamwow (Rick Magee) held down the third spot and Robbie Burns N (Jacob Cutting) paced fourth through the first two panels in :27 and :55.
Robbie Burns N pulled first-up down the backstretch and Macs Marvel (Plano) picked up cover, but the outer pair were still two and three lengths from the leader as they passed the three-quarter juncture in 1:22.4.
Saddle Up was clearly full of pace in the pocket as they rounded for home and Hezzz A Wise Sky braced for the challenge in the lane, resulting in an exciting stretch battle from the top pair. Saddle Up ($5) was able to surge past in the final sixteenth of a mile and posted a one-length tally in 1:50.4 for a seasonal best. Shamwow held narrowly for third over Macs Marvel.
The winner is a five-year-old gelding by JK Endofanera and is trained by Justin Anfinson for owner Jeff Fought Racing. Saddle Up now has 13 career wins and earnings of $224,033.
Officer Jim (Warren) was much the best while capturing the second leg of the Burning Blaze Pacing Series in 1:52, for two wins in a row. He was sent off as the 1-5 choice in the $9,000 contest and went straight to the lead from post five and led comfortably at every call, posting a 1-3/4 length victory over Wonder Of Love (Svendsen), while Always Close (Irvine) picked up third money.
Officer Jim ($2.60) is a seven-year-old gelding by American Ideal and is owned by Debra McCarthy and trained by Gordon Graham. He now has 11 wins on the season and 32 career wins, with earnings totalling $121,051 to date.
Heza Real Diamond ($10.80) registered his first win of the season with a very sharp two-length romp in 1:51.2 in a $15,000 conditioned pace with Nick Roland in the sulky for owners Anthony Beltrami and Triple Q Stables for his 32nd career win. The son of Allamerican Native is trained by Edwin Quevedo.
Driver Dean Magee led the Tuesday program with a triple, while both Nick Roland and Todd Warren registered doubles. Trainer Edwin Quevedo posted a double for the second straight night.
Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday, June 1 with first post at 7 p.m. (CDT) and the card will feature a carryover of $12,315.65 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager.
(Running Aces)