Columbus, MN — The Thursday night (May 18) harness racing program at Running Aces featured the Mares Open Handicap Pace, with a full field of nine lining up behind the gate for the $18,500 contest.

Maggie Rhee was much the best in the Thursday Aces feature. Kimberley Schneider photo.

Wonder Of Love (Mooney Svendsen) and Give Me This Dance (Luke Plano) both left alertly from outside posts and Disaronno Hill (Williams Hernandez) also charged out quickly from the center creating a mad dash for early forward positions, while heavy favorite Maggie Rhee (Todd Warren) also left with pace from post nine.

Give Me This Dance was on top at the quarter call in :28.1, before Maggie Rhee asserted herself to take control just before the three-eighths marker. Once settled on top, driver Warren was able to settle the daughter of Jereme’s Jet nicely and they were well in control of the affair through middle fractions of :57.4 and 1:26 before pulling away from the competition as they rounded for the homestretch.

Maggie Rhee was much the best and powered home in :28.1 to stop the timer in 1:54.1 and register a five length victory, her second in six seasonal starts. Disaronno Hill closed well in the lane to capture the runner-up spot while Wonder Of Love was home third. The 6-year-old winner now shows 26 career wins and earnings of $330,157.

The winner is owned by Wilson Racing Stable, Norman Neff and Mark Eichberger and is trained by Tim Wilson Jr.

Drivers Dean Magee and Todd Warren each posted doubles on the Thursday program.

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday (May 21) and features ‘Saint Jude Night’ at the races which is an event to raise funds and awareness for all of the important charity work done by St. Jude, and St. Jude Childrens Hospital. There is a mini-donut giveaway as well as Pepsi Family Night activities and specials, and the evening will also feature the Seppo Hakamaa Memorial race. Post time for the 10-race program is 7 p.m. (CDT).