Running Aces featured two $25,000 divisions for Minnesota-sired sophomore pacers, as well as the weekly $22,857 Mares Open Handicap Pace as part of the Thursday night, July 2 harness racing program.

Cool Mr Cool got away in second initially behind last week's winner Wild About Me (Nick Roland) before driver Casey Leonard made a move to the top just after the :27.2 quarter pole. Once settled on the lead, Cool Mr Cool was never in doubt, posting middle fractions of :57 and 1:26 before turning in a :27.2 final panel to seal the deal and check home two lengths better than Wild About Me with CL Dancer (Mooney Svendsen) rallying late for third.

Cool Mr Cool, a three-year-old gelded son of Wind Me Up-World Of Her Own, is owned by Kyle Larner of Warren, Michigan, Jay De Long of Clinton, Wisconsin, and Terry Knothe of Trempealeau, Wisconsin and trained by Justin Anfinson. The 1:53.2 mile, his fourth career win, established a new career mark. His earnings now stand at $59,413. The win mutuel returned $2.40.

Thiskidcanfly lived up to her name in the filly pace, posting a big late rally from fifth at the top of the lane to grab her first win of the season and pull the upset at 15-1. Norabelle (Josiah Miller), a big longshot at 69-1, rallied for second and early leader Prone To Wander (Rick Magee) checked home in third in the 1:55.2 mile.

The victory was a career best effort for Thiskidcanfly ($32.60). The daughter of Karpathian Kid-Flick A Fly is owned by Van Otterloo Stables of Rockvalley, Iowa, and trained by Bob Lems. She now possesses earnings of $35,730.

Premier Desirey added another sharp win to her impressive resume in the Mares Open, going to the front early from post seven for driver Luke Plano and reaching the quarter in :27.1. The duo led comfortably throughout, clicking off fractions of :57.1 and 1:25 before drawing away from their rivals late with a :27.1 final panel to collect a 4-1/2-length tally in 1:52.1. Mother Mary (Rick Magee) rallied late for second over Heart Song (Svendsen).

The win was the fifth of the season and 21st career victory for Premier Desirey ($2.80). The nine-year-old Real Desire-Premier Mirage mare is owned by trainer Harold Herrera of Wind Gap, Pennsylvania, and has accumulated $227,101 in career earnings.

Drivers Nick Roland, Casey Leonard and Dean Magee and trainers Bob Lems and Harold Herrera all scored doubles on the program.

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday, July 5 for an Independence Weekend Celebration program with 10 races starting at 6 p.m. (CDT). There will be a Slap Coozie giveaway along with 'Pepsi Family Night' specials and kids activities, trout fishing, food trucks and the weekly 'Sole Survivor' handicapping contest.

(With files from Running Aces)