The spotlight shone brightly on Running Aces as Speaking Volumes made a notable impact in the $17,639 Open II Handicap Pace.
Sent off as a slight favourite at 2-1, Speaking Volumes, who had recently competed in the Dan Patch eliminations, benefited from a more favourable post position this week. Sneaky Hill, also at 2-1, was well-supported by the betting public.
Captain Up, given 7-1 odds, made the fastest start from the far outside post, quickly taking command and setting a blistering pace. By the quarter-mile mark, with Speaking Volumes in a loose pocket and Kamara in third. Just Plain Loco, caught outside in fourth, advanced to third by the half-mile mark in :54.4, while an outside tier formed with Caliber, Juju Hanover, and Bombay Hanover.
Captain Up continued to lead into the far turn, hitting the third panel in :27 (1:21.4) with a three-length advantage. However, as he approached the top of the stretch, the fast fractions began to catch up with him.
As the field straightened for the stretch drive, Speaking Volumes, loaded with pace, surged from the pocket with authority. He drew away in the final sixteenth of a mile to win by 2-1/4 lengths in a career-best 1:50.3. Sneaky Hill edged out Kamara for second, while Zenetti and Juju Hanover finished in a tight photo finish for fourth.
Owned by Little Bapa and trained by Bob Johnson, the four-year-old gelding by Artspeak improved his career record to 11 wins from 33 starts and paid $6.20 to win.
In the $23,611 Minnesota-sired freshman filly ‘A’ pace, Delco Kathleen secured her second consecutive win with a career-best time of 1:56.3. After starting in third, driver Todd Warren moved her to the lead near the three-eighths mark. Once in front, Delco Kathleen maintained her advantage and won by 2-1/2 lengths over stablemate Linked To Chaos, with Skoochs Valentine finishing third. Trained by Justin Anfinson and owned/bred by Jay De Long, the Easy Again filly has now won four of her eight career starts and paid $2.10 to win.
The Minnesota Kid, driven by Luke Plano, made an impressive late rally to capture his second career win in the $23,611 freshman boys ‘A’ pace with a time of 1:57.2. He finished 1-1/4 lengths ahead of pacesetter Swinging On By, with One Last Booyah taking third. Owned by Stephanie Longo and trained by Jose Castillo, the gelded son of Karpathian Kid paid $5.20 to win.
In the $24,306 freshman boys ‘A’ trot, Peanutbutterfalcon delivered a commanding gate-to-wire performance, winning by three lengths in 2:02.3. He finished ahead of Werewolfofwysteria and Cant Rush Quality, with all top three finishers sired by Quality Kemp. The gelding is owned by breeder Jeralene Roland and trained by Dan Roland, paying $5.40 to win.
The $24,306 filly trot saw SHS Miss My Mama, driven by trainer Brady Jenson, score her first career win with a 3-1/2 length victory in 2:03.4. After a perfect pocket trip, she pulled away in the stretch, finishing ahead of SHS Southern Pride and SD Imma Superstar. The filly, a daughter of Southwind Flash, is owned by Larry Jenson and returned $12.20 to her backers.