Rivers Flows to Victory as Cisco Reaches Career Milestone
Fifty Rivers, a four-year-old gelding by Fiftydallarbill out of Hudson Jesse, secured his fourth win in the top trotting event at Running Aces on August 4. The horse, trained by Kathie Plested and owned by J M F Racing of New Jersey, finished first with a half-length tally over All Champy in a thrilling battle to the wire.
The $22,535 Open Handicap saw Fifty Rivers prevail in the final strides after accepting a pocket trip, while his stablemate All Champy forged to a narrow lead. Escaper took control early but was overtaken by All Champy and Fifty Rivers as they approached the far turn.
Driver Casey Leonard was intent on being near the top with Fifty Rivers and left aggressively for position, taking the early lead. However, Escaper stole a breather in the second panel while All Champy got rolling from the back of the pack to go first-over, providing cover flow for Go Have Fun down the backstretch.
Justin Anfinson dominated the day's Minnesota-sired events with a training triple capped off by a milestone moment for driver Scott Cisco. Cisco sent the favoured The Steel Cage three-wide for the stretch drive in the $15,493 freshman 'B' pace and earned his 1,000th career driving win.