Among a myriad of stellar performances on the Thursday, Sept. 7 program at Running Aces was that of four-year-old pacing mare Lucky Lil Lady, who turned in a sharp gate-to-wire triumph in the $17,600 distaff Open Handicap.
Garnering plenty of support as the 2-1 favourite off the strength of back-to-back impressive closing efforts in her last two tries, the daughter of Luck Be Withyou employed a different tactic this week and was sent to the front of the contest by driver Kevin Wallis.
From post five, they cleared for the lead quickly while Crazy Cute (Mooney Svendsen) settled for the pocket and Wonder Of Love (Rick Magee) dropped in third through the opening fractions of :27.2 and :57.
Rockin With Lou (Gerald Longo) tipped out amongst traffic and was first-up through the middle stages while Disaronno Hill (Brady Jenson) was forced three-wide after interference.
As they swung for home, the outer flow began to tire but Lucky Lil Lady had no quit in her and kept to her task while Crazy Cute charged up the inside late and Wonder Of Love emerged from the pack in third.
The contest culminated with a thrilling finish that went to Lucky Lil Lady by a neck over Crazy Cute in 1:53.3.
It was the sixth win of the season and 10th career win for Lucky Lil Lady ($6.20), who is owned by Robin Clements and trained by Quentin Schneider.
Fast Larry ($3.40) posted his third straight dominating win in the $17,000 freshman male 'A' pace in a career-best 1:56.2 over Spiritofanoutlaw and Boom Boom Bullseye. Trainer/driver Brady Jenson was content to sit in third early before making a mid-race move down the backside and drawing alongside the leader. In the lane, Fast Larry kicked it into high gear and drew away from his rivals to post a 2-1/4-length tally for owner Gary Carlson.
The $17,000 freshman fillies 'A' pace was yet another edition of the big rivalry between division leaders Apple Juice and Deja Vu Babyboo. Deja Vu Babyboo (Dean Magee) made an uncharacteristic break at the start and was nearly seven lengths back of leader Apple Juice (Jacob Cutting) at the :29 quarter mile station while Moonlit Night travelled in the pocket. Deja Vu Babyboo got rolling down the backstretch and drew alongside the leader and they battled stride for stride through the lane with Deja Vu Babyboo prevailing by a nose over Apple Juice in a very close photo finish in 1:56. She paid $5 to win. The winner now shows four wins in nine career outings for owner/breeder Van Otterloo Stables and trainer Bob Lems.
All Star Wonder (Dean Magee, $2.20) broke through with his first career win in the $10,500 freshman 'B' pace, delivering as the heavy favourite. The son of Wind Me Up took the lead before the half-mile and led comfortably before fending off a late challenge by longshot Totally Easy (Rick Magee) for a half-length score in 1:58.1 with Fiftyshadesofcray (Nick Roland) checking in third. The winner is owned by trainer Brett Ballinger as well as Darren Taylor and Benvenga Racing.
Gotubydashorthairs (Roland, $6.80) turned in yet another impressive outing to capture the $22,000 sophomore 'A' pace, delivering the victory as one of just two fillies in the six-horse contest. As per her customary racing style, the daughter of Wind Me Up rallied from the back of the pack and drew clear late for a half-length tally in 1:54.3 over Im A Skoldier (Svendsen) and King Of Aces (Plano). Gotubydashorthairs now sports eight wins in 14 starts this season for owner/breeder Mark Anderson and trainer Gordon Graham.
Jeremys Alibi (Roland, $8.20) worked out a perfect pocket trip and rallied past pacesetter Polar Storm (Todd Warren) in the lane to capture the $14,500 sophomore 'B' pace in 1:56.2. It was the fifth win of the season for the son of Easy Again, owned by Jessica Johnson and Chris Manatt and trained by Roland.
Driver Kevin Wallis led the Thursday program with three wins, while Dean Magee and trainer Quentin Schneider each scored doubles and Nick Roland posted both a driving double and a training double.
Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday, Sept. 10 for an eight-race program with first post at 7 p.m. (CDT).
(With files from Running Aces)