The harness racing program on Tuesday, Aug. 26 at Running Aces featured the Open Handicap Pace with a field of eight lining up behind the gate to battle it out for a $21,528 purse.

Hezzz A Wise Sky (Dean Magee) was the 3-5 public choice from post eight while Speaking Volumes (Rick Magee) was sent off as the second choice at 5-1 on the board and started from post six.

When the wings of the gate folded it was Tankalicious (Scott Cisco) who got the first call and led in the opening stages before Speaking Volumes charged up to take the top near the :27 quarter mile clocking with Hezzz A Wise Sky immediately up to challenge the new leader.

Hezzz A Wise Sky took over and was settled on the lead at the :55.3 halfway point with Speaking Volumes relegated to the pocket and Tankalicious traveling in third.

Down the backside Macs Marvel (Williams Hernandez) launched a first-over bid and quickly advanced from sixth to third to apply mild pressure to the leaders as they completed three panels in 1:24.1.

Hezzz A Wise Sky was nearly two lengths clear at the top of the lane and was still pacing strong while Speaking Volumes shook free from the pocket to come after the leader

Inside the final sixteenth, Speaking Volumes began to close in rapidly and the top two battled stride for stride to the wire in a thrilling finish in 1:52.

After close examination of the photo finish the judges were unable to separate Speaking Volumes ($4) and Hezzz A Wise Sky ($2.20) and that pair was three lengths clear of Macs Marvel and Tankalicious.

The dead heat win completed a driving triple for both Rick Magee and Dean Magee.

Speaking Volumes is a five-year-old son of Artspeak, owned by Little Bapa LLC and trained by Brady Jenson.

Hezzz A Wise Sky is an eight-year-old son of Yankee Skyscaper,  owned by Triple Zzz Stable and trained by John Filomeno.

Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday, Aug. 28 with a 10-race program that will get underway at 6 p.m. (CDT).

(Running Aces)