The final Tuesday night program for 2022 at Running Aces is in the books and it was ELs Disco Johnny who took top honours on the card, capturing the $15,600 Open II Handicap Pace in 1:53.2 for his eighth win of the year.
Driver Mooney Svendsen secured the pocket position with ELs Disco Johnny while Bombay Hanover (Luke Plano) made the pace with early fractions of :27.3 and :56.3.
Good Rockin (Brady Jenson) came knocking with a first-over bid down the backside but was unable to make much of an impression on the leader and ELs Disco Johnny saved ground and waited patiently in the pocket as they rounded past three-quarters in 1:24.4.
In the lane, Bombay Hanover faced a two-pronged attack as the pocket-sitter exploded with pace and Albergo Hanover (Chip Lackey) rallied sharply from the back of the pack. ELs Disco Johnny ($5.60) was home first by a half-length over Albergo Hanover with Bombay Hanover three lengths further back in third.
The winner, a four-year-old son of Always A Virgin, is owned and trained by Gerald Longo.
Sneaky Hill posted yet another impressive win on Tuesday, to make it seven wins in a row with owner/trainer Brady Jenson in the sulky.
Jenson got away third with Sneaky Hill then attacked for the lead just past the quarter and proceeded to widen his margin at every call from there to post a 4-3/4 length tally in 1:53.3. The sophomore son of Racing Hill was the 1-5 favourite in the $11,800 conditioned pace.
Unfiltered delivered as a 2-5 favourite and dazzled the crowd with an eye-popping 15-1/2-length score in 1:52.2 in an $8,400 conditioned pace for his 10th career win. The four-year-old Always A Virgin gelding was piloted to victory by Rick Magee for owner/trainer Joe Prevost.
Mooney Svendsen led the program with a driving double and Jose Castillo posted a training double.
Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on both Friday and Saturday (Sept. 16 & 17) for Champions weekend, which will close out the 2022 season at Running Aces.
The Friday card will feature three $25,000 Invitational events including the Goody Two Socks Pace, Dandy Di Distaff and The Banker Volo Trot. The Banker Volo will be contested at a mile and a quarter.
The Night of Champions program on Saturday features 12 divisional championship races and $720,000 in purses.
There will be mandatory payouts in all wagers on Saturday night, including the Jackpot Pick-5, Late Pick-4, Pick-3 and High-Five.
Post time at Running Aces is 7 p.m. (CDT).
(With files from Running Aces)