On a night that was jam-packed with featured harness racing events, Disaronno Hill stole the show at Running Aces on Thursday, June 1 with a dazzling gate-to-wire performance in the $18,500 Mares Open Handicap Pace. 

Dismissed by the public at 18-1, the five-year-old daughter of Racing Hill had something to prove and she powered away from the gate from post six in the seven-horse contest to wrangle the early lead away from Lady Rocknrolla A (Mooney Svendsen) and register the opening fractions in :27.3 and :56.1 while race favourite Divine Art landed in third. 

Once on top, driver Luke Plano settled her into a nice rhythm and they led comfortably throughout while easily fending off a mid-race challenge from Moosette (Jacob Cutting), while Divine Art followed cover. 

In the lane, it was all Disaronno Hill ($38.40), who saved plenty for the final stanza and easily kept the pocket-sitter at bay, kicking home in :27.4 and posting a 1-1/40length tally in a career-best equalling 1:51.2 mile. 

The winner is owned by Terrence Smith and is trained by Williams Hernandez. 

Im A Skoldier (Svendsen, $4.20) delivered the goods as the slight favourite in the $18,250 Minnesota-sired sophomore boys pace, posting a career-best score over King Of Aces (Plano) in 1:53.2. The top two were well clear of Dougsmonkeybusines in third. The winner, a sharp son of Wind Me Up, now shows eight career wins in 11 starts for owner/breeder Van Otterloo Stables and trainer Bob Lems. For Svendsen, it was career win number 3,999. 

Quite The Flirt (Plano, $3.80) posted her best ever win in the $18,250 fillies pace with a front-running victory by three-quarters of a length in 1:56.1 with Wavzeka (Warren) proving second best and Justpoppinpickles (Longo) well back in third. The winner is also a daughter of Wind Me Up and is also owned by Van Otterloo Stables and trained by Bob Lems. 

Give Me This Dance (Plano, $2.40) captured the $15,000 Minnesota-sired older mares pace by a half-length in 1:53.4 over Kitty Wampus and Cruzin Coco. Justin Anfinson trains the winning daughter of Wind Me Up for owners/breeders Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte. 

American Cruiser (Plano, $6.80) and Blinded By Delight (Lackey, $3.20) each posted wins in the second round action of the Burning Blaze Pacing Series, which will wrap up on Thursday, June 8. 

Luke Plano led the program with four driving wins while Brady Jenson scored a driving double and trainers Williams Hernandez and Bob Lems both recorded doubles as well. 

One sharp handicapper was able to solve the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager on Thursday to take down the entire pool and Jackpot. The $15,871.54 return is the biggest payout so far this season at Running Aces, through the first nine nights of action.

Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday, June 4 featuring Pepsi Family Night specials and activities as well as a carryover of $1,917.21 in the Hi-5 wager. First post at Running Aces is 7 p.m. (CDT). 

(Running Aces)