Columbus, MN — Graceful Horizon posted another impressive winning performance in the $19,800 Mares Open Handicap Pace on Sunday (Sept. 4) at Running Aces, for her third win in five local outings.

Graceful Horizon held off a late charge from Hottieonthehorizon to win the Mares Open by a head in 1:53.4. Dee Leftwich photo.

Driver Rick Magee was content to float away in fourth position from post five while Hottieonthehorizon (Luke Plano) and Bettor Trix N (Brian Detgen) went to the front during the :28.1 quarter. Magee then pulled the trigger and sent Graceful Horizon to the lead, clearing just past the :56.3 half-mile checkpoint. Rockin With Lou (Dean Magee) made a bid on the outside and Always Choose Chip (Brady Jenson) followed from second-over position as they headed for the far turn.

Graceful Horizon ($6.80) turned for home with a one length lead and then fought gamely as Hottieonthehorizon charged on the inside in deep stretch, providing fans with an exciting photo finish, which showed Graceful Horizon had prevailed by a head in the 1:53.4 mile. Always Choose Chip was home third over a late closing Rojo Caliente.

The top two finishers are daughters of Vertical Horizon. The winner is owned by Set The Pace Racing and trained by Jessica Johnson, who had a double on the card.

All American N (Muscle Hill) was back in action in the $19,800 Open Handicap Trot and he turned in another sharp effort to pick up his third straight win.

Driver Luke Plano sent the star trotter towards the front from post nine and cleared to the lead just past the quarter. Once on the lead they held firm control and turned back a strong mid-race challenge from Bringoverthemoney (Dean Magee). All American N ($3.60) continued to trot strong and turned for home with a one length lead. Bordogna (Rick Magee) shook free from mid pack and charged home on the outside of the track to just miss by a head on the wire as All American N recorded his eighth win of the Aces meet in 1:56.4. Longshot Fox Valley Britzka also closed sharply to just nose out Bringoverthemoney for the third spot.

The winner races from the Williams Hernandez stable and is owned and trained by Maria Alvarez who had two wins on the night.

Scroll On By (Rick Magee, $10.20) posted a dominating win in the $11,600 sophomore Open Trot, going gate-to-wire in 1:57.4 for her sixth win of the year. Triggered (Mooney Svendsen) rallied late for second and CR Promise To You (Jenson) was home in third. The winner is owned by Kennedy Roland and trained by Dan Roland.

Drivers Luke Plano, Mooney Svendsen, Rick Magee and Dean Magee all posted doubles on the program.

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Tuesday (Sept. 6) and will feature a carryover of $29,027.81 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager. Post time for the nine-race program is set for 7 p.m. (CDT).