Flynn trainee Swagasaurus Rex impressive

The Saturday night harness racing program at Running Aces would feature two divisions of the Minnesota-Sired 3 year old pacers, going for a total purse pf $17,000. The A division would see another impressive effort from the David Flynn trainee Swagasaurus Rex ($4.60) with driver Rick Magee, the duo got away in the pocket at the 27.3 quarter, and sat patiently 3rd at the pylons through the 57.2 half, before moving first over at the 1:26.4 three-quarters and drawing away from his rivals to post 1 ½ length tally in 1:54.3 over Stuckey Dote (Jim Marino) and American Dancer (Luke Plano). His final quarter time of 27.2 was the fastest of the night. Tonight’s effort was his 10th lifetime win in his 21st start, and his 2nd straight win. It also pushed his career bankroll to $45,902 for Owner Richard Davelaar.

In the $6,800 B split, it was a career effort by Mint To Cruise, who goes by the nickname “Brad” around the barn, he’s a son of Up Front Brad by Brooklyn Mint. This talented gelding posted his second dominating performance in a row and lowered his lifetime best to 1:55.1 this evening with a closing win from off the pace, Trainer/Driver Nick Roland got “Brad” moving at the three-quarters and he passed all of his rivals handily, and went on to score by 1 ½ lengths with a 28.2 final stanza. Mint ToCruise is owned by Set The Pace Racing, LLC. He paid $19.60 as an 8-1 longshot in the wagering.

Another very impressive performance on the Wednesday program was the 7 year old pacing mare Hotmones, (by Hot Pans) who posted her 29th lifetime win tonight, with a gate-to-wire and drawing away score in 1:53.4 to establish a new career mark with Trainer/Driver Nick Roland in the bike for Owner Brenda McDonald. Hotmones ($7.40) also eclipsed the $100,000 earnings mark with her performance tonight, pushing her bankroll to $100,960

Nick Roland had a big night with a Grand Slam, 4 winners on the 8 race card, and Gerald Longo picked up a driving double as well.

Running Aces remains in full-swing with Live Harness Racing 4 nights a week through September 3, post times are 6:00 pm CDT on Saturdays & Sundays, and 7:00 pm CDT on Tuesdays & Wednesdays.

By Darin Gagne, Running Aces Track Announcer