Columbus, MN — The Thursday night (July 21) program at Running Aces featured the top weekly event for pacing mares, with a field of seven facing the starter for the $16,500 Open Handicap.

Graceful Horizon got home first over Hottieonthehorizon in the 1:53 mile. Dee Leftwich photo.

Hottieonthehorizon (Luke Plano) was the talk of the toteboard and was fastest from the gate from the outside post and controlled the affair while posting moderate early fractions of :27.4 and :57 while Suddenly Royal (Brady Jenson) and Shesureissomething (Rick Magee) followed along intently in second and third, respectively.

Newcomer Graceful Horizon (Dean Magee) got away fourth before launching a first-over bid down the backside which prompted Hottieonthehorizon to turn up the third quarter speed (:27.2) to try and fend off the challenger while the top two began to open up on the rest of the field.

The two daughters of Vertical Horizon were still on even terms as they swung for home and they provided fans with a thrilling stretch battle which required a photo finish on the line. After review, the picture showed Graceful Horizon ($6.20) had gotten home first by a head over Hottieonthehorizon in the 1:53 mile.

The winner is owned by Set The Pace Racing and is trained by Nick Roland.

The $19,800 Minnesota-sired sophomore ‘A’ pace went to Curvsreasyondaeyes (Plano, $5.20) for his fifth straight win, posting a career best 1:54.1 mile by 5-1/4 lengths to remain unbeaten in 2022. Kitty Wampus rallied from off the pace to be second best and Give Me This Dance was home in third.

Curvsreasyondaeyes (Easy Again) is owned by his breeder Kati Sokolowski and is trained by Maria Alvarez.

The $13,200 ‘B’ division went to Antetokounmpo (Easy Again, $3.00) in 1:56.4 for owner/trainer/driver Rick Magee. Bekkums Fancy Star was second and Rosco P Coletrain held third.

The $16,500 freshman Minnesota-sired male pace went to I’m A Skoldier (Wind Me Up) in 1:58.1 for his first career win for owner/breeder Van Otterloo Stables and trainer Robert Lems. Mooney Svendsen was the winning pilot and the mutuel return was $20.60. Dougsmonkeybusines was second best and Polar Storm picked up third money.

The $16,500 filly pace went to Fillister Photo (Easy Again) in 1:58 for two wins in a row for owner Penny Lundell and trainer Joel Mc Danel. Chad Svendsen was the winning driver and the win return was $5.40. Anotherflashywoman was home second and Stevies Girl finished third.

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (July 24) for one of the biggest nights of the season. The $50,000 Dan Patch FFA final highlights a 10-race program that kicks off at 7 p.m. (CDT). There will be a Dan Patch puzzle giveaway along with drawings, t-shirt toss, social media contest and Pepsi Family Night specials and activities. The 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager has a carryover of $13,457.86 and is being forced out on Sunday with a guaranteed total pool of $40,000.