The Tuesday evening (Aug. 15) harness racing program at Running Aces featured two divisions of the Minnesota-sired freshman trot and the offspring of the late Banker Volo posted sharp performances to keep the Banker legacy going strong.
In the $18,250 colts and geldings division, Insurrectionist ($3) delivered another sharp performance as the 1-2 favourite to advance to three wins in a row.
Driver Luke Plano was in no hurry off the gate with Insurrectionist and secured fourth position early as Scoot Scoot (Brad Irvine) surged to the lead from post eight while Bankers Quest got away second and Wherever Rio Goes (Sean Smithpeters) travelled in third. That lineup held in place through the early fractions of :29.3 and 1:00.4 before Wherever Rio Goes launched a first-over bid as they headed down the backside and applied heavy pressure to the leader before getting the call at three-quarters in 1:30.3 while Insurrectionist began a three-wide rally and Bankers Quest took closer order from third.
In the lane, Insurrectionist trotted strong and drew clear from his rivals, posting a 2-3/4-length tally in a career best 2:00.4 while stablemate Bankers Quest was clearly second best and kicked well clear of Wherever Rio Goes to complete the Banker Volo-sired exacta.
The winner is owned by his breeder Jeralene Roland and is also trained by Dan Roland.
Bankers Grace ($17.20) captured the $18,250 filly division with driver Nick Roland in tow, leaving the gate sharply from post three to secure the pocket position as Wisco On A Mission (Jacob Cutting) went to the front and Al Mar Puredelight (Todd Warren) landed in third. Wisco On A Mission led comfortably through fractions of :30.1 and 1:01.1, and was still going strong as they rounded the far turn after posting three-quarters in 1:31.
In the homestretch, Bankers Grace vacated the pocket and bravely went after the leader, surging past in the shadow of the wire and posting a three-quarter length victory in 2:02.2 for her first career win. Wisco On A Mission held second over Al Mar Puredelight and debutante Magnolia Moonlight (Chip Lackey) was home in third.
Bankers Grace is owned by her breeder Kennedy Roland and trained by Dan Roland.
The $17,600 Open Handicap Pace went to Macs Marvel ($4), who posted a sharp looking first-over effort to get up by three-quarters of a length in 1:50.3.
PD The Big Easy (Kevin Wallis) made all the pace while Game Of Change (Dean Magee) rode the pocket and Bizys Beatle (Mooney Svendsen) operated from third. Driver Brady Jenson activated Macs Marvel just past the half-mile and they continued to progress into the final stages, surging past the leader late in the lane to capture his seventh seasonal win. PD The Big Easy held second while Bizys Beatle rallied late to pick up third money.
The four-year-old Captaintreacherous gelding is owned by Jose Cervantes and Terrence Smith, and is trained by Williams Hernandez.
Drivers Luke Plano and Brady Jenson each scored doubles on the Tuesday program.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday night (Aug. 17) for a special ‘Youth Sports Night at the Races’ featuring a kids shoe bag giveaway. The evening also benefits the Minnesota Youth Athletic Services Community Impact Fund. There will be trout fishing, kids face painting, kids tattoos and a kids colouring contest. For the adults, there will be ‘Thirsty Thursday’ drink specials as well as food trucks and the Sole Survivor handicapping contest. The specials and activities get underway at 6 p.m. and the first of nine races will get underway at 7 p.m. (CDT).
(Running Aces)