The Open-level pacers were in the spotlight at Running Aces on Tuesday, May 19 and provided fans with a thrilling three-way battle to the wire, which put the photo finish camera to the test.

Noblesville was sent off as the 3-5 favourite from post four in the $20,548 Open Handicap Pace and driver Nick Roland wasted no time in getting the sharp five-year-old gelding into gear, firing fast off the car and winning an early skirmish for the top while relegating 18-1 longshot Kurt Longjohn and trainer/driver Josiah Miller into the pocket as A Major Omen and Gerry Longo settled away in third.

The opening quarter was a solid :27.4 and Roland settled Noblesville into a good rhythm in the second panel to achieve a 29-second breather while the field travelled in single file.

Down the backside, Noblesville kicked up the tempo once again with Kurt Longjohn chasing from the pocket and even-money second choice Cash Money Twenty and Casey Leonard getting underway from the back of the pack as they rounded past the three-quarters in 1:24.

In the lane, Kurt Longjohn began to gain on Noblesville while Cash Money Twenty rallied on the far outside and an exhilarating three-way battle to the finish ensued.

When the dust cleared, it was Kurt Longjohn who had surged strongest at the wire, grabbing the victory by a head over Noblesville with Cash Money Twenty just narrowly defeated in third. The timer flashed 1:51.3 and the field had completed the final half-mile in :54.4 with Cash Money Twenty completing his final half in an eye-opening :53.4.

The winner, Kurt Longjohn, is also owned by Miller in partnership with Mel Mullet of Siloam Springs, Arkansas. The five-year-old son of Time To Roll-One Sure Thing now has 10 career wins in 28 career starts. The 1:51.3 mile equalled his lifetime best.

Kurt Longjohn returned $38 to his backers for the double-digit upset in his season's debut.

Miller was the win leader on the nine-race program with a driving triple and a training double, while Luke Plano posted a driving double.

Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday, May 21 with an eight-race program that gets underway at 6 p.m. (CDT).

(With files from Running Aces)