Ardyne Ace, in rein to Randy Tharps, captured Saturday’s $19,000 Open II Pace, and he did so in a season’s best clocking of 1.50.2.

The eight-year-old gelded son of Aces N Sevens-Hertown Hanover, who is trained by Ohio native, Jim Pollock, won for David Ehrenberg II and Daniel Fawcett of Ohio.

Starting from post six in the field of nine, Ardyne Ace settled into the fifth spot, but he didn’t sit for long. Tharps pulled just past the quarter that was paced in a hot :26.1. He received a short stint of cover from Full Code and Dan Noble before clearing at the half way point in :55. This left Tharps and Ardyne Ace in a first over spot.

Full Code and Ardyne Ace battled down the backside in :27.1, reaching the three quarters in 1.22.1. Ilikeitrealhot and Aaron Merriman were getting the perfect pocket trip behind the battling duo and looked to pounce in the stretch.

Ardyne Ace was game tonight and prevailed by three quarters of a length over Full Code, while Ilikeitrealhot grabbed the show spot. A mere five lengths covered the entire field of nine.

(Scioto Downs)