Tuggin On My Heart continued his winning streak with an impressive performance in the $21,233 Open Handicap Pace at Running Aces on July 16. Despite being the second choice in the betting at 5-2, he outshone co-track record holder Crooked Smile, who was the favourite at 4-5. PD The Big Easy also had decent support at 9-2.
Crooked Smile took the early lead with Tuggin On My Heart and driver Jacob Cutting in hot pursuit. Cutting guided Tuggin On My Heart to the front near the 26.4 opening quarter, and they maintained their lead through the middle stages of the race.
As they entered the homestretch, Crooked Smile made a move to challenge for the lead, but Tuggin On My Heart had plenty of energy left and crossed the finish line in a career-best time of 1:50.3. Crooked Smile finished second, followed by Sneaky Hill.
Owned by Dave Dobbelmann and Cathy Dessert and trained by Edwin Quevedo, Tuggin On My Heart now has 29 career wins and earnings of $322,247. In the $23,288 Minnesota-sired freshman male pace, Swinging On By secured his third consecutive victory in a photo finish. Delco Kathleen also won convincingly in the freshman fillies 'A' pace, while International Ice dominated the freshman 'A' trot. Braggen Bliss and The Minnesota Kid also secured their first career wins in the freshman 'B' races.