Columbus, MN – The top-level pacers took the spotlight at Running Aces on Tuesday night (May 19) and provided fans with a thrilling three-way battle to the wire, which put the photo finish camera to the test in the $15,000 Open Handicap.
Noblesville (JK Endofanera) was sent off as the 3-5 favorite from post four and driver Nick Roland wasted no time in getting the sharp 5-year-old gelding into gear, firing fast off the car and winning an early skirmish for the top and relegating 18-1 longshot Kurt Longjohn (Josiah Miller) into the pocket while A Major Omen (Gerry Longo) settled away in third.
The opening quarter was a solid :27.4 and Roland settled Noblesville into a good rhythm in the second panel to achieve a :29 second breather while the field traveled in single file.
Down the backside, Noblesville kicked up the tempo once again with Kurt Longjohn chasing from the pocket and second choice Cash Money Twenty (Casey Leonard) getting underway from the back of the pack as they rounded past the three-quarters in 1:24.
In the lane, Kurt Longjohn began to gain on Noblesville while Cash Money Twenty rallied on the far outside and an exhilarating three-way battle to the finish ensued.
When the dust cleared, It was Kurt Longjohn who had surged strongest at the wire, grabbing the victory by a head over Noblesville with Cash Money Twenty just narrowly defeated in third. The timer flashed 1:51.3 and the field had completed the final half mile in :54.4 with Cash Money Twenty completing his final half in an eye-opening :53.4.
The winner, Kurt Longjohn is also owned and trained by Miller in partnership with Mel Mullet. It was the 10th career win in 28 career starts for the 5-year-old son of Time To Roll. The 1:51.3 mile also equaled his lifetime best.
Miller led the program with a driving triple and a training double, while Luke Plano posted a driving double.
Live racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday night (May 21) with an 8-race program that gets underway at 6 p.m. (CDT).