Running Aces’ Tuesday night (Aug. 21) live program featured the track’s weekly $12,000 Mares Open Pace, which featured a solid field of seven distaffers.
Gold Star Mysti (driven by James Yoder) was looking for her third win in a row, and she was sent off as the 6-5 favourite from Post 7. Kiss On The Lips (Dean Magee) was well supported at 7-2 and was one of the fastest off the gate, as she hooked up in an early battle with Capitol Hill (Steve Wiseman).
Kiss On The Lips took control past the quarter, and then immediately faced pressure from Gold Star Mysti, who had floated off the gate to be fourth on the outside around the opening turn. From there, the two mares battled neck and neck and nose to nose, as they have done on so many occasions at Running Aces.
Kiss On The Lips maintained the slightest advantage throughout the battle, and held off a fierce late lunge at the wire to hold Gold star Mysti at bay and register a half-length victory in 1:53.3, which was also the fastest mile of the night. Whatitdo Babyboo (Rick Magee) closed from the back of the pack to finish third.
Kiss On The Lips ($9.20) is in the midst of a career-best year, with six wins to her credit and $57,444 in seasonal earnings. The win was the 35th of her career. She is owned by Peg Hoffman and trained by Gerald Longo.
(With files from Running Aces)