On a night that was loaded with impressive performances, Hottieonthehorizon managed to steal the show with a dazzling display of grit in the top distaff feature on Thursday (June 30).
Driver Nick Roland wasted no time in putting the daughter of Vertical Horizon into play, charging off the wings of the gate from post eight to challenge the early leaders Tenthousand Angels (Luke Plano) and Avaya Hanover (Mooney Svendsen).
Hottieonthehorizon took the lead just past the quarter and had little time to settle in before Delightfully Wild (Dean Magee) drew alongside the leader with a strong first-over attack.
After fending off that rival, Gottalovemyshadow (Chip Lackey) emerged as a new threat to the leader in the final quarter and those two engaged in an exciting stretch battle as the rest of the field fanned across the track for the minor spoils.
Hottieonthehorizon ($6.40) dug in impressively and refused to meet defeat, checking in one length ahead of Gottalovemyshadow in 1:55.1 for her second straight win in the $16,500 Open Handicap events. Avaya Hanover was home third.
The winner is owned by Leslie Godlien and trainer Rick Lancaster.
The $13,000 Mares Open II pace went to Always Choose Chip and Brady Jenson who made an early move to take the lead from Lickcreek Speedway and then held firm command of the affair.
Kiss On The Lips tried a first-over bid with several followers in the outer tier but they couldn't make much of an impression on the leaders.
Always Choose Chip continued to pace strong and kept Lickcreek Speedway in chase mode while the race was clearly for third money.
Always Choose Chip ($2.60) drew away in deep stretch for a three-and-a-half length tally in a seasonal best 1:53.4 over Lickcreek Speedway, with Oneida Blue Chip making a late rally for the show.
The winner is also owned and trained by Jenson.
The $9,000 Mares Open III pace went to Rojo Caliente ($4.20) and driver Mooney Svendsen, delivering a big late move to sweep by her rivals in the stretch for a two-and-three-quarter length win over Uniquerock and Wild Night Tina in a 1:54.2 mile.
The winner is owned by Craig Rhodes and Jim Ballinger and is trained by Brett Ballinger.
The $19,800 Minnesota-sired sophomore 'A' pace went to Curvsreasyondaeyes (Plano, $9.00) for his third straight win. The son of Easy Again refused to lose in a thrilling stretch battle with race favorite Give Me This Dance with Kitty Wampus getting third in a 1:55.1 mile.
The winner is owned by his breeder Kati Sokolowski and trained by Maria Alvarez.
The $13,200 'B' division went to Lovin On You ($8.30) who posted a career best effort in 1:55.2 with driver Dean Magee in the bike. Hankscoltfortyfive was second best and Big Rusty was a close third.
The winner is also a son of Easy Again, he is owned by Jesse De Long and trained by Justin Anfinson.
Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (July 3) for Pepsi Family Night with first post at 7 p.m. (CDT).
(Running Aces)