by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces

Columbus, MN — The Tuesday evening (June 19) program at Running Aces featured the $13,000 Open Handicap for pacing mares, with a talented field of six facing the starter.

Dee Leftwich photo

Gold Star Mysti kicked home in :27.4 to complete an impressive mile in 1:51.4.

Gold Star Mysti (James Yoder) and Kiss On The Lips (Nick Roland) have dominated the top distaff level recently, and last season as well. Gold Star Mysti was the public’s overwhelming choice Tuesday night and the public was right on target.

Kiss On The Lips and Roland fired first and fastest from the wings of the gate, but Gold Star Mysti and Yoder were not far behind and quickly surged alongside their rival to take the lead at the quarter pole in :27.4. After establishing her spot at the front of the field, Gold Star Mysti kept to task by pacing a strong :28 second panel and serving notice to the field that she was all business. The 5-year-old daughter of Mysticism maintained her 1-1/2 length advantage as she led the field past three-quarters in 1:24 with Kiss On The Lips holding the pocket position.

As the top-level mares rounded for home it was clear that there would be nobody catching Gold Star Mysti as she kicked home in :27.4 to complete an impressive mile in 1:51.4 for her second win of the season in just her third start. The final margin was 3-3/4 lengths. Kiss On The Lips completed the popular exacta combination ($4.60) and Abbijade Hanover (Rick Magee) was home in third.

Gold Star Mysti ($3.20) is trained by Maggie Audley for Gold Star Farm. She has been nominated to the Dan Patch FFA pace in July where she will take on the boys in the premier race of the season.

Driver Steve Wiseman posted another grand slam of four winners on the Tuesday card, while Lemoyne Svendsen and Dean Magee both completed driving doubles.

Live racing returns at Running Aces on Saturday (June 23) with the first race at 6 p.m. (CDT).