The $16,500 Open Handicap went to post as the featured event on Tuesday night (Aug. 9) at Running Aces with a six-pack of top level pacers lining up behind the starting gate in race seven on the nine-race program.

Caliber was the talk of the toteboard at 4-5 while Dan Patch FFA champion A Major Omen was sent off as the 9-5 second choice.

Caliber blasted off the gate from post five to take immediate control during the :27 opening panel and driver Luke Plano settled him into a nice rhythm on the front while SB Bodacious tracked intently from the pocket and Shark Play travelled in third.

The middle half was very solid (:55.4) and Caliber remained in full command throughout. Alilthundadownunda (Brian Detgen) made a first-over move down the backside and A Major Omen picked up the cover from last, but they were not able to get close to Caliber as he straightened for home with two lengths to spare. A Major Omen rallied on the far outside to pick up the second spot and SB Bodacious checked in third in the 1:51.2 mile. The margin of victory for Caliber ($3.60) was 1-1/4 lengths.

He now has seven wins in 19 starts this year for owners Terrence Smith and Tony Beltrami and trainer Maria Alvarez. The five-year-old son of Sweet Lou has now earned $227,359 from 41 career races.

Hoo Nien A (Tony Kerwood, $6.60) captured the $13,000 Open II Handicap Pace with an impressive rally from last to first in 1:54.2 for three wins in a row. Bombay Hanover (Plano) also posted a closing effort to pick up second and Albergo Hanover (Lackey) went a first-over trip to check in third.

The winner is a 10-year-old son of Always A Virgin and is owned and trained by Gerald Longo. He now has 34 career wins and has bankrolled $253,979 to date.

Brady Jenson was the star of the show on Tuesday night, posting a driving grand slam. His four driving wins included $41.80 winner Bunkerhill Bill, along with Sneaky Hill ($4), Zanetti ($3.20) and Fort Apache Scout ($27.60). He also completed a training double on the card with Sneaky Hill and Headlining (Plano, $11.80).

Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday (Aug. 11) with first post at 7 p.m. (CDT) and the card will feature a carryover of $7,180.83 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager.

(Running Aces)