Columbus, MN — On Thursday night (June 8) Maggie Rhee picked up her third straight Mares Open Handicap win at Running Aces while also adding her name to the track record books with a 1:51 mile.

Maggie Rhee dominated the Mares Open Pace and tied the track record in 1:51. Kathleen Riley photo.

The impressive 6-year-old daughter of Jereme’s Jet was piloted by Todd Warren and the pair joined in a three-way battle for the early command which included Lady Rocknrolla A (Mooney Svendsen) and Disaronno Hill (Luke Plano). Maggie Rhee took control just past the :27.3 quarter and was well settled on the lead as they passed the half-mile post in :55.4.

Lady Rocknrolla A was back on the move as they headed down the backside and Divine Art (Dean Magee) picked up her cover while Disaronno Hill and Moosette (Jacob Cutting) saved ground. Maggie Rhee ($3.60) turned up the speed in the third panel (:27.4) and began to create separation from her rivals. In the lane she threw down even more speed to draw clear by 4-1/4 lengths while posting a :27.2 final panel. Disaronno Hill was second best and held narrowly over Moosette, with Divine Art well back in fourth.

The 1:51 record for older pacing mares was first established by Gold Star Mysti in 2017.

The winner now shows four wins this season from eight starts and 28 career tallies with earnings of $348,657. She is owned by Wilson Racing Stable, Norman Neff and Mark Eichberger and is trained by Tim Wilson Jr.

Blinded By Delight ($3.00) and driver James Lackey made it seven wins in a row and completed a sweep of the 2023 Burning Blaze pacing series with a career best 1:53.2 win over American Cruiser and Jeremys Alibi. The sharp daughter of Bettor’s Delight is owned by Ken Seastrom and trained by Gordon Graham.

I’m A Skoldier (Svendsen, $2.80) posted another career best mile with a dominating four-length romp in the $18,250 Minnesota-sired sophomore male pace in 1:52.3 over Polar Storm and King Of Aces. The son of Wind Me Up now has nine career wins from 12 starts and earnings of $102,415 for owner/breeder Van Otterloo Stables and trainer Bob Lems.

I Turn Heads (Western Trademark) posted her first career win in the $18,250 sophomore filly pace with an impressive stretch rally with driver Brandon Jenson. The pair closed from fifth to surge by the leaders late and record a half-length victory in 1:55.3 for owners Brady Jenson, Michael Rabida, Theresia O’Connell and Brady Anderson.

Driver Todd Warren led the program with four wins while both Mooney Svendsen and trainer Bob Lems posted doubles.

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (June 11) with a 10-race program that also features ‘Circus Jeventas Night at the Races’ along with Pepsi Family Night and a carryover of $1,368.81 in the Pick-5 Jackpot wager. First post is at 7 p.m. (CDT).