In a thrilling finish, Better Double Flip prevailed in the $21,233 Mares Open Handicap Pace, the top class on the harness racing program on Thursday, July 11 at Running Aces. 

Driver Todd Warren worked out a perfect pocket trip for the daughter of Betterthancheddar behind pacesetter Graceful Horizon before exploding late in the passing lane to capture victory in a tight photo by a nose over Aint She Special in the 1:53.2 mile while Graceful Horizon held third. 

Better Double Flip ($14.20) is owned by Wilson Racing Stable Inc. and Ann Calvert and is trained by Tim Wilson Jr. along with assistant Jenni De Menge. 

Warren and Brady Jenson traded wins throughout the night, with each driver posting a triple on the card. Jenson steered Delco Irene to a career mark with an eye-opening score in 1:52.2 in the $23,288 Minnesota-sired sophomore filly 'A' pace over Apple Juice (Jacob Cutting) and Deja Vu Babyboo (Nick Roland). 

They got away third early before Jenson activated the daughter of Wind Me Up to surge to the front well before the half through scorching early fractions of :26.4 and :54.3. Deja Vu Babyboo went after the leader during the third panel and had a slight and short-lived lead near the top of the lane, but Delco Irene ($10.40) dug in impressively to regain control and draw clear to the wire for a 2-1/2-length tally. 

The winner is owned by Jay De Long and is trained by Justin Anfinson. She now shows four career wins from 13 outings. 

Fast Larry (James Kennedy, $4.40) made the most of his first start of the season, posting a half-length victory in the $23,288 sophomore male 'A' pace in a career best 1:54 over Celebrity Status and El Parrandero Q. The winner is a son of Arts Chip, owned by Gary Carlson and trained by Quentin Schneider. 

Rocklikeahurricane and Jenson teamed up to capture the $8,500 sophomore 'B' pace, going gate-to-wire in 1:55.3 over Peekabooicantseeu and Suddenly Famous.  It was the fourth career win for Rocklikeahurricane ($2.20) for owners/breeders Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte and trainer Anfinson. 

For Jenson, the trio of trips to the winner's circle put him atop the dash-winning standings by one win (31-30) over Cutting in what has been an exciting back and forth battle between the two. 

Other multiples on the night included Anfinson with three training wins and Wilson with two training wins. 

Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday, July 14 for Circus Juventas night at the races. There will be circus performances between the races during the 12-dash card, which kicks off at 6 p.m. (CDT). 

(with files from Running Aces)