Columbus, MN — The Thursday night (June 13) harness racing program at Running Aces was certainly not lacking in big performances and close finishes as six of the 11 contests on the card were decided by a neck or less on the wire.

Ain’t She Special went gate-to-wire in the Mares Open Pace in 1:52.3. Nicole Tate photo.

Ain’t She Special (American Ideal) won her event, the $15,500 Mares Open Handicap Pace by 1-1/2 lengths in gate-to-wire fashion for her sixth win of the season. Piloted by her trainer and co-owner Luke Plano, she stopped the timer in 1:52.3 for the fastest mile of the night and rewarded her backers with a hefty mutuel of $21.60. She is also owned by Dave Haness.

Delco Irene (Wind Me Up) posted a career best mile while holding off heavy favorite Apple Juice (Jacob Cutting) by a head in 1:53.2 for her third career win, capturing the $17,000 sophomore filly pace for owner Jay De Long and trainer Justin Anfinson. Brady Jenson was the winning pilot and the win return was $9.20 for every $2 ticket.

El Parrandero Q (Wind Me Up, $13.60) made his way back to the Running Aces winner’s circle in just his second start of the season after successfully gunning down front-runner and favorite Celebrity Status (Nick Roland) by a neck to capture the $17,000 sophomore male pace in a career best 1:54.4. The winner was driven by Cutting for owner Triple Q Stables and trainer Edwin Quevedo.

Charmingsix (Check Six, $2.80) made it four in a row and successfully swept the Burning Blaze pacing series, holding off longshot Lady Wishes (Plano) in a thriller in 1:54.4 to take the top prize in the $15,000 final. The winner is owned and trained by Larry Feilbach and also owned by Claire Vanden Berg and Brent Feilbach and Dean Magee was the winning pilot.

Tee You Vee (Special Forces, $2.60) delivered a big performance in his first start of the season to deliver as the heavy favorite in the $8,500 sophomore ‘B’ pace in a career best 1:57.4 with driver Todd Warren for trainer Brett Ballinger and owner Merlin Van Otterloo.

Brady Jenson led the Thursday program with a driving double.

The final five races saw no winning favorites and one lucky player successfully solved the 20-cent Pick-5 puzzle to take down a jackpot of $18,186.18.

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (June 16) for a Father’s Day celebration. The event offers a funky-socks giveaway, Pepsi Family Night specials and kid’s activities, food trucks, trout fishing and a Sole Survivor contest to compliment the 12-race program that kicks off at 6 p.m. (CDT).