by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces Casino & Racetrack

Columbus, MN — Arguably the most impressive performance on the Tuesday evening (June 13) program at Running Aces came in the $10,000 Mares Open Pace when Kayla Grace ($5.60) converted the pocket trip into a lifetime best winning mile of 1:52.4 with trainer/driver Joe Casagranda in the bike.

Dee Leftwich photo

Kayla Grace rallied in the lane for a lifetime best 1:52.4 victory.

The impressive 6-year-old Michigan-bred mare by He’s All That has now completed six trips to the winner’s circle in 19 starts this season, while earning $27,943 for owners E C S Racing and Kevin St. Charles. Her lifetime credentials are even more impressive, as she has now won 50 races in 130 starts and $288,221.

Wonder Bull delivered again as the big favorite ($2.80) in the $7,000 first division of the second leg of the Whata Terror Pacing Series, Driver Nick Roland sent him right to the lead and they posted a gate-to-wire tally by holding off a furious late charge by pocket sitter Mr Ranger (James Yoder).

Wonder Bull has now won three of 11 starts this season for his owners/breeders Rick and Lesa Peters. Tuesday night’s win by a head registered a new lifetime mark of 1:54 for the 3-year-old gelding by Artistic Wonder.

In the second division of the Whata Terror series, He Grins Again (Dean Magee) would deliver as the big race favorite ($3.20) by orchestrating a gate-to-wire victory in 1:57.4 by a solid two length margin. This is the third lifetime win for the 3-year-old son of Place To Be, who is owned by Lloyd and Judith Schneiderman. Weericky (Joe Casagranda) posted a solid second in the contest, while Firstdibbs (Lemoyne Svendsen) recovered from an early break to check in third.

Nick Roland led all drivers with the only double on the program.

The next card of live harness racing at Running Aces Casino & Racetrack will go to post on Saturday night (June 17) at 6 p.m. (CDT), with a carryover in the 20-cent Jackpot Pick-5 wager of $12,037.33.