The Monday harness racing card at Running Aces featured some very competitive racing, including a very talented field for the $10,000 featured Open Pace for Mares, Gold Star Mysti (James Yoder) was the second favorite on the board and she delivered a dazzling performance for her fourth win in five starts this year, and shattered the track mark for four-year-old pacing mares with an eye opening 1:51 mile.
The previous record was set earlier this summer by PV Miracle Mary (1:52.2).
Gold Star Mysti ($5.20) was unhurried from the gate and settled fifth for the first call (27.1) before launching a sweeping move just past the half way marker (56.1) and reaching the lead at the ¾ pole in 1:23.3 and kicking home in 27.2 to register record the mile. James Yoder also trains the impressive four-year-old mare by Mysticism for Owner Marianne Audley.
Firedrake ($2.40) was again razor sharp tonight at Running Aces, posting his fifth consecutive win, pacing tonight in 1:53.2, with a gate-to-wire win and it also marks his sixth win in seven starts this season with Trainer/Driver Nick Roland in the bike for Owner Jessica Johnson.
In the $10,000 Open Handicap Trot, Explosive Muscles with Trainer/Driver Gerald Longo delivered as the favorite ($4.80) for his 7th win in 26 starts this season. The sharp 7 year old gelding is by Muscle Mass, and has bankrolled $44,745 this season for Owners Cassandra and Rebecca Uppal after tonight’s 1:55.4 victory.
Giggle Monster is now a perfect 2-for-2 lifetime after capturing the $8,000 2 year old Open Pace event tonight in 1:55.4 with Driver Dean Magee for Trainer Denise Maier and Owners Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte.
Driver Nick Roland registered a triple on the program with Gerald Longo and Lemoyne Svendsen both picking up driving doubles.
The next card of live Harness Racing at Running Aces Casino & Racetrack will go to post on Saturday night, July 8 at 6:00 pm CT, with a carryover in the .20 cent Jackpot Pick-5 wager of $5,045.12 and a carryover in the .50 cent Hi-5 of $1,835.65.
By Darin Gagne, Running Aces Track Announcer