by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces Casino & Racetrack

Columbus, MN — The Monday (July 3) card at Running Aces featured some very competitive racing, including a very talented field for the $10,000 featured Open Pace for Mares.

Dee Leftwich photo

Gold Star Mysti shattered the track mark for 4-year-old pacing mares with a 1:51 mile.

Gold Star Mysti (James Yoder) was the second favorite on the board and she delivered a dazzling performance for her fourth win in five starts this year and shattered the track mark for 4-year-old pacing mares with an eye opening 1:51 mile.

The previous record was set earlier this summer by PV Miracle Mary (1:52.2).

Gold Star Mysti ($5.20) was unhurried from the gate and settled in fifth for the first call (:27.1) before launching a sweeping move just past the halfway marker (:56.1). She reached the lead at the three-quarter pole in 1:23.3 and kicked home in :27.2 to register the record mile. James Yoder also trains the impressive 4-year-old mare by Mysticism for owner Marianne Audley.

Firedrake ($2.40) was again razor sharp at Running Aces, posting his fifth consecutive win, pacing in 1:53.2 with a gate-to-wire win. It also marked his sixth win in sevevn starts this season with trainer Nick Roland in the bike for owner Jessica Johnson.

In the $10,000 Open Handicap Trot, Explosive Muscles with trainer/driver Gerald Longo delivered as the favorite ($4.80) for his seventh win in 26 starts this season. The sharp 7-year-old gelding is by Muscle Mass and has bankrolled $44,745 this season for owners Cassandra and Rebecca Uppal after Monday night’s 1:55.4 victory.

Giggle Monster is now a perfect two-for-two lifetime after capturing the $8,000 2-year-old Open Pace event in 1:55.4 with driver Dean Magee for trainer Denise Maier and owners Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte.

Driver Nick Roland registered a triple on the program with Gerald Longo and Lemoyne Svendsen both picking up driving doubles.

The next card of live harness racing at Running Aces Casino & Racetrack will go to post on Saturday night (July 8) at 6 p.m. (CDT), with a carryover in the 20-cent Jackpot Pick-5 wager of $5,045.12 and a carryover in the 50-cent Hi-5 of $1,835.65.