Running Aces Casino, Hotel and Racetrack will present an 11-race program on Sunday (July 23) which will feature the track’s signature pacing event, the $50,000 Dan Patch Free-for-All, as well as a mandatory payout in the 20-cent Pick-5 wager.
The Pick-5 Jackpot was hit on Thursday night (July 20) with one lucky winner collecting $37,402.64. The pool for Sunday’s 20-cent Pick-5 is estimated at over $10,000.
The Dan Patch FFA is carded as Race 7 and will serve as the first leg of the Pick-5 wager. Elimination winners Crooked Smile and American Dreamer are the top two favourites on the morning line at 5-2 and 3-1, respectively, and are likely to be the top two favourites at post time. Todd Warren had his choice of the pair and opted to drive Crooked Smile, who drew post five in the final. The six-year-old gelding by Panther Hanover was a one-length winner in his elimination split in 1:52.
American Dreamer posted a 2-3/4-length tally in his elimination in 1:49.2, becoming the fastest ever at Running Aces, and drew post three for the final. Both of the top two morning line picks are trained by Tim Wilson Jr. and assistant Jenni DeMenge. Brad Irvine has been tapped to pilot 31-time winner American Dreamer.
Hezzz A Wise Sky and driver Jacob Cutting were a very respectable second in last week’s track record mile, and held the record themselves (1:50) for five weeks prior to that. They have drawn post eight in the final and are listed at 9-2 on the morning line. Trainer John Filomeno sends the six-year-old son of Yankee Skyscraper.
Here is a look at the complete field for the $50,000 Dan Patch FFA:
$50,000 Dan Patch Free For All Pace
Post - Horse - Driver - Morning Line Odds
1. Saddle Up - Dean Magee - 8-1
2. Mac’s Marvel - Luke Plano - 6-1
3. American Dreamer - Brad Irvine - 3-1
4. No Lou Zing - Kevin Wallis - 9-2
5. Crooked Smile - Todd Warren - 5-2
6. PD The Big Easy - Nick Roland - 10-1
7. Shamwow - Rick Magee - 12-1
8. Hezzz A Wise Sky - Jacob Cutting - 9-2
The Dan Patch night festivities feature a fanny pack giveaway, Pepsi Family Night specials and activities, food trucks and drawings for gift prizes and betting vouchers. Specials start at 6 p.m. (CDT) and the first race is set for 7 p.m.
(Running Aces)