Columbus, MN — The $16,500 Open Handicap went to post as the featured event on Tuesday night (Aug. 9) at Running Aces with a six pack of top level pacers lining up behind the starting gate in race seven on the nine-race program.

Caliber was the talk of the toteboard at 4-5 while A Major Omen was sent off as the 9-5 second choice.

Caliber was a 1:51.2 winner. Dee Leftwich photo.

Caliber blasted off the gate from post five to take immediate control during the :27 opening panel and driver Luke Plano settled him into a nice rhythm on the front while SB Bodacious (Rick Magee) tracked intently from the pocket and Shark Play (Brady Jenson) travelled in third.

The middle half was very solid (:55.4) and Caliber remained in full command throughout. Alilthundadownunda (Brian Detgen) made a first-over bid down the backside and A Major Omen (Tony Kerwood) picked up the cover from last, but they were not able to get close to Caliber as he straightened for home with nearly two lengths to spare. A Major Omen rallied on the far outside to pick up the second spot late and SB Bodacious checked in third in the 1:51.2 mile.

The margin of victory for Caliber ($3.60) was 1-1/4 lengths. He now shows seven wins in 19 starts this year for owners Terrence Smith and Tony Beltrami and trainer Maria Alvarez. The 5-year-old son of Sweet Lou has now earned $227,359 from 41 career races.

Hoo Nien A (Kerwood, $6.60) captured the $13,000 Open II Handicap Pace with an impressive rally from last-to-first in 1:54.2 for three wins in a row. Bombay Hanover (Plano) also posted a closing effort to pick up second, and Albergo Hanover (Chip Lackey) went a first-over trip to check in third.

The winner is a 10-year-old son of Always A Virgin and is owned and trained by Gerald Longo. He now shows 34 career wins and has bankrolled $253,979 to date.

Brady Jenson was the star of the show on Tuesday night, posting a driving grand slam. His four driving wins included $41.80 winner Bunkerhill Bill, along with Sneaky Hill ($4.00), Zanetti ($3.20) and Fort Apache Scout ($27.60). He also completed a training double on the card with Sneaky Hill and Headlining (Plano, $11.80).

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday (Aug. 11) with first post at 7 p.m. (CDT) and will feature a carryover of $7,180.83 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager.