Columbus, MN — The Sunday evening (Sept. 1) program at Running Aces played host to the $14,000 Open Handicap Trot, with seven talented square-gaiters lining up for battle in the featured event on the card.

Winning Lyric (Dean Magee) was in search of a third straight win in the top Open class, and was heavily favored in the betting at 3-10.

Its A Horse was game to the wire to upset the field in the $14,000 Open Trot. Dee Leftwich photo.

Longshot Bordogna (Darrell Wright) was quickest away from the gate and took command of affairs through a quick :27.3 opening panel, while Pridecrest (Steve Wiseman) came away second in the early stages. The fractions from there were sensible (:58 and 1:27.2) and Bordogna continued to lead, with Its A Horse (Tim Maier) launching a sustained first-up rally from near the half-mile, and Winning Lyric was looming large from three wide rounding the final bend.

Its A Horse ($48.80) gradually drew on even terms with Bordogna, then took over, and the field began to fan out as they straightened for home. Winning Lyric charged hard on the outside and tried to get past the new leader as they battled right down to the line, but Its A Horse was ultra game and held on for a neck victory in 1:56.2 over Winning Lyric and a late closing Scramble Camp (Nick Roland).

The six-time winner this season is a 6-year-old gelded son of Full Count, owned by Ray Alan Miller and trained by Marco Rios, who had two winners on the program.

Real Gorgeous ($3.80) with owner/trainer/driver Jared Seekman rolled to another impressive win in 1:52.3 in a $7,500 conditioned pace to extend his winning streak to four. The 5-year-old gelded son of He’s Gorgeous is in top career form, and is unbeaten at Running Aces since arriving in early August.

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday (Sept. 3) with first post at 7 p.m. (CDT).