Columbus, MN — The Tuesday night (June 6) feature at Running Aces drew a very talented field of eight competitors vying for top honors in the $18,500 Open Handicap Pace and He’zzz A Wise Sky stopped the clock at 1:50 to record the fastest mile ever over the five-eighths-mile Minnesota oval.

He’zzz A Wise Sky became the fastest pacer at Running Aces with a dominating 1:50 score in the Open Handicap Pace. Nicole Tate photo.

Last week’s winner Saddle Up (Dean Magee) fired fastest from the gate from post six to establish early command before He’zzz A Wise Sky, who also left sharply from post seven, took over just past the quarter-mile post which was achieved in :27.

Once on top, He’zzz A Wise Sky and driver Jacob Cutting were in complete control as Saddle Up continued in the pocket and both Heza Real Diamond (Brad Irvine) and Mac’s Marvel (Luke Plano) got underway from the back of the pack during the middle stages which were recorded in :54.2 and 1:22.3.

Around the far turn the leader began to create separation from the field and arrived at the top of the lane with a three-length lead before drawing further away from his rivals in deep stretch. As he approached the wire, He’zzz A Wise Sky ($4.80) was clearly in a race against the teletimer and stopped the clock at 1:50.

The winner is a 6-year-old stallion by Yankee Skyscaper out of the Four Starzzz Shark mare Gimmeazzzmooch. He was bred by Don and Joann Filomeno and is owned by Triple ZZZ Stable and trained by John Filomeno. The extremely talented pacer now shows two wins in five outings this year and has recorded 38 career wins, while earning $547,070.

The $18,000 Linkjack Hanover pacing series final provided a thrilling finish with a three-horse photo at the wire in 1:52.4. Heavy favorite Officer Jim (Todd Warren, $2.20) prevailed by a nose to sweep the series, while Wonder Of Love (Mooney Svendsen) just missed in second and longshot Biggiessecondshot (Cutting) was just a half-length back in third.

The winner is a 7-year-old son of American Ideal, owned by Debra McCarthy and trained by Gordon Graham. He now shows 12 wins in 15 outings this year and has $51,217 in seasonal earnings.

Driver Jacob Cutting led the program with four wins while Todd Warren recorded a double.

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday (June 8) with a 10-race program and first post at 7 p.m. (CDT).