The featured harness racing event on Tuesday night, June 18 at Running Aces was the $21,233 Open Handicap Pace, which boasted a full field of nine very talented pacers.
After heavy rains and strong winds moved into the area during and after race five, the track was listed as sloppy for the remainder of the night, but the show went on and included some impressive performances and exciting finishes. The featured Open Pace was no exception.
Tuggin On my Heart (Jacob Cutting) was the fastest off the car and took early command while posting a fast opening fraction of :26.2 despite the less than perfect conditions.
PD The Big Easy (Mooney Svendsen) also left alertly from post nine but found no seats available at the pylons and was forced to try for the front, but Tuggin On My Heart and Cutting had no intentions of relinquishing the lead and those two battled throughout the torrid :54.4 half-mile as Juju Hanover (James Kennedy) and Ynotthishos (Nick Roland) tracked along in third and fourth, respectively.
Down the backside, the brutal trip began to take its toll on PD The Big Easy and he began to waive the white flag while Ynotthishos got underway and launched his bid, going after his stablemate, Tuggin On My Heart, as they rounded the far turn and registered 1:23 for three-panels.
At the head of the lane, Tuggin On My Heart still had a narrow advantage, but both Juju Hanover and Ynotthishos were looming large and the result was a thrilling three-way battle to the wire with Ynotthishos surging right on the money to get home a neck in front of Juju Hanover and a half-length ahead of Tuggin On My Heart in a career-best 1:52.1 mile.
Ynotthishos ($19.20) is a six-year-old son of Domitian Hanover, owned by Dave Dobbelmann and trained by Edwin Quevedo. It was the fourth win of the season and 20th career tally for the winner of more than $200,000. The same connections also picked up third money with Tuggin On My Heart.
Majors Miracle ($20.40) pulled off an impressive upset in the $21,233 Mares Open during a heavy downpour, which started with light rainfall as they lined up behind the gate but quickly evolved into a deluge during the contest.
Owner/trainer/driver Elson Miller did not wait long before moving the five-year-old daughter of Luck Be With You to the front just past the fast :26.4 quarter mile.
Once on top, they held control and fended off a strong challenge from JK My Girl (Brad Irvine) through the middle stages in :55.3 and 1:23.4 with Ain’tShe Special tracking in the pocket.
In the, Lane Majors Miracle remained strong and Aint She Special (Luke Plano) shook free for a rally, but could not get to the leader, while Always A Dancer (Brady Jenson) posted a strong late bid to grab the third spot in the 1:53.3 mile.
Majors Miracle now had 10 career wins with earnings of $189,594 to date.
Drivers James Kennedy and Elson Miller both recorded doubles on the program, while Miller also recorded a training double.
Live harness racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday night, June 20 for St. Jude Race Night, which will benefit St. Jude’s Childrens Hospitals. There is a drawstring bag giveaway and the night will also feature Thirsty Thursday drink specails and tastings, as well as trout fishing, food trucks and a drawing for a free ‘Wagering Spree.’ The first of 11 races will go to post at 6 p.m. (CDT).
(Running Aces)