War Machine made his first start from the Brett Ballinger barn a winning one in his Running Aces debut in the $20,205 Open Handicap Pace on the Tuesday, May 27.

Macs Marvel was sent off as the 3-2 public choice from post three while Aces newcomer War Machine, who had been racing in Pennsylvania with a 1:51.2 career-best victory last month at The Meadows, garnered lots of pari-mutuel support at 9-5 from post six.

Driver Dean Magee wasted no time in sending War Machine into action, charging to the front immediately and relegating inside starter Zanetti (Rick Magee) to the pocket position while PD The Big Easy (Brady Jenson) got away third and Alilthundadownunda (Nick Roland) found an early seat in fourth from post eight.

War Machine had everyone seated in single file through the solid early fractions of :27.4 and :55.4 before Macs Marvel (Billy Mann) launched a first-over attack down the backside and Bettors Donttell (Gerald Longo) picked up the cover.

The outer flow failed to make much of an impression on the leaders and War Machine was in full command on the final turn and past the 1:23.2 clocking for three panels.

In the lane, Zanetti shook free from the pocket while both Alilthundadownunda and Macs Marvel began to close in late, but War Machine ($5.80) was already home free and posted a 2-1/4-length tally in 1:51.4 while Alilthundadownunda nosed out Macs Marvel for the place money.

War Machine is a four-year-old son of Sweet Lou out of Bolt Of Thunder recently acquired by owners Heart And Soul Racing and Jim Ballinger. He has won four of his 11 races this season and has 11 career wins with earnings topping $150,000.

Nick Roland led the Thursday program with three driving wins while Billy Mann posted a driving double and Brady Jenson had two training wins.

Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday, May 29 for a 10-race program that will get underway at 6 p.m. (CDT).

(With files from Running Aces)