Columbus, MN – The Tuesday evening (June 19) harness racing program at Running Aces featured the $13,000 Open Handicap for pacing mares, with a talented field of 6 facing the starter.
Gold Star Mysti (James Yoder) and Kiss On The Lips (Nick Roland) have dominated the top distaff level both recently, and last season as well. Gold Star Mysti was the pubics' overwhelming choice tonight, and the public was right on target.
Kiss On The Lips and Roland fired first and fastest from the wings of the gate, but Gold Star Mysti and Yoder were not far behind and quickly surged along-side their rival to take the lead at the quarter pole in 27.4.
After establishing her spot at the front of the field, Gold Star Mysti kept to task by pacing a strong 28.0 second panel and serving notice to the field that she was all business. The 5 year old daughter of Mysticism maintained her 1 ½ length advantage as she led the field past three-quarters in 1:24 with Kiss On The Lips holding the pocket position.
As the top-level mares rounded for home it was clear that there would be nobody catching Mysti tonight – she kicked home in 27.4 to complete an impressive mile in 1:51.4 for her second win of the season, in just her third start, the final margin was 3¾ lengths.
Gold Star Mysti ($3.20) is trained by Maggie Audley for Gold Star Farm. Kiss On The Lips completed the popular exacta combination ($4.60) and Abbijade Hanover (Rick Magee) was home in third. Gold Star Mysti has been nominated to the Dan Patch FFA pace in July where she will take on the boys in the premier race of the season.
Driver Steve Wiseman "The Magician" posted another Grand-Slam of four winners on the Tuesday card, while Lemoyne "Mooney" Svendsen and Dean "Bobcat" Magee both completed driving doubles.
Live Racing returns at Running Aces on Saturday, June 23 with the first race at 6:00 pm CDT.
by Darin Gagne', for Running Aces