The Thursday, Sept. 5 program at Running Aces featured the weekly edition of the Mares Open Handicap Pace with a six-pack of talented distaffers lining up behind the gate to battle for a purse of $20,946.

Two Pistol Annie (James Kennedy) was the talk of the toteboard at 3-5 while last week's winner Majors Miracle (Elson Miller) was the public's second choice at 7-2. 

Kennedy put the favourite into play immediately and took control in the opening strides while Miller also left alertly with Majors Miracle to secure the pocket in front of Fox Valley Leah (Todd Warren) as they registered the opening panels in :27.4 and :57. 

Illusion Seelster (Jacob Cutting) tipped out from fourth to come first-up down the backside and Always A Dancer (Brady Jenson) followed her cover.  Two Pistol Annie still held court on the final turn after three panels in 1:24.4 while Majors Miracle was tight in the pocket and Illusion Seelster loomed outside in third. 

In the homestretch Two Pistol Annie braced for the imminent challenge from Majors Miracle, who indeed exploded from the pocket with pace and it was clearly a two-horse contest as the top pair battled to the wire. 

Majors Miracle ($9.80) surged in the final strides to post a clear victory by 1-1/2 lengths for her second straight win. Fox Valley Leah rallied late to grab third money. 

The winner is a five-year-old daughter of Luck Be Withyou and now shows five wins from 23 starts this year with seasonal earnings of $70,151. Miller is also the winning owner and trainer. 

Delco Irene (Jenson, $7.60) rallied from the back of the pack to capture the $22,973 Minnesota-sired sophomore filly 'A' pace in 1:55.2 over Apple Juice (Cutting) and Deja Vu Babyboo (Roland). 

The daughter of Wind Me Up now shows six wins from 12 starts this year with seasonal earnings of $75,216 for owner/breeder Jay De Long and trainer Justin Anfinson. 

Fast Larry (Kennedy, $3.20) proved fastest in the $22,973 'A' division for male pacers with a gate-to-wire tally by 1-1/2 lengths in 1:54.2 while Celebrity Status (Roland) rallied late to grab second over El Parrandero Q (Cutting). 

The winner is a son of Arts Chip who now has three wins from five starts this year for owner Gary Carlson and trainer Quentin Schneider. 

Flushing Art (Jenson, $3.20) delivered as the big favourite in the $11,486 sophomore 'B' pace with an authoritative 4-length tally in 1:57.1 over Suddenly Famous (Warren) and Another Tuff Woman (Rick Magee). 

The winner is a son of Arts Chip and is owned and trained by Jeff Ryan. 

Brady Jenson led the program with four driving wins and a training double. Elson Miller posted a driving and training double and Nick Roland had two driving wins on the night and Justin Anfinson also had a training double. 

Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday, Sept. 8 for a 12-race program that will get underway at 6 p.m. (CDT). 

(Running Aces)