The featured event of Running Aces’ Tuesday (Aug. 7) program of live racing was an $11,000 Mares Open Handicap Pace.
Gold Star Mysti headlined the field, as she headed into the affair after having competed against males four races in a row at a high level (the tough Dan Patch FFA series and in Open winners-over company). She finally returned to the weekly distaff feature to re-claim her crown as top open mare at the track.
Sent off as the public’s 3-5 choice, Gold Star Mysti did not disappoint her backers. Driver James Yoder got her away quickly from Post 2 and settled into the pocket behind a fast-starting Delightfully Wild (driven by Lemoyne Svendsen). Yoder and ‘Mysti’ then went on to sweep to the front just past the :28.2 quarter.
After having established the lead, Gold Star Mysti looked comfortable and confident throughout. The middle half was paced in :56.2 and Gold Star Mysti kicked home strongly in :27.4 to keep the field at bay. She ended up posting a three-quarters-of-one-length win over Kiss On The Lips (Dean Magee) who closed well for second. Delightfully Wild held a game third in the 1:52.3 mile.
Gold Star Mysti ($3.20) is a five-year-old by Mysticism that is out of the Pacific Fella mare Just Wait Fellas. She is owned by Gold Star Farm, trained by Margaret Audley, and now has 15 career wins and $109,216 on her card.
The $9,000 two-year-old Open Pace was won by the Margaret Audley-trained and James Yoder-driven Mystical View (a half-sister to Gold Star Mysti) in 1:58.1. The $14,000 Minnesota-Sired two-year-old pacing event was won by the Gordon Graham-trained and Dean Magee-driven Wind Me Up filly Windmeupnwatchmego, who got the job done in 1:56.1. The $14,000 Minnesota-Sired two-year-old trotting event was won by the Nick Roland-trained and Dean Magee-driven MD Magic, who got the job done in 2:02.
Drivers Dean Magee and James Yoder both completed the grand slam on the night, as they each notched four wins.
Live Racing will return to Running Aces this Saturday night (Aug. 11). First post will be at 6:00 p.m. (CDT) and the card will feature both a $10,981.13 carryover in the Pick-5 Jackpot and a $2,780.43 carryover in the 50-cent Hi-5.
(With files from Running Aces)