Columbus, MN — The feature on Tuesday night (June 18) at Running Aces was the $15,500 Open Handicap Pace, which boasted a full field of nine very talented pacers.

After heavy rains and strong winds moved into the area during and after race five, the track was listed as sloppy for the remainder of the night, but the show went on and included some impressive performances and exciting finishes. The featured Open Pace was no exception.

Ynotthishos surged to the wire to capture victory in the Open Handicap Pace. Nicole Tate photo.

Tuggin On My Heart (Jacob Cutting) was the fastest off the car and took early command while posting a fast opening fraction of :26.2 despite the less than perfect conditions. PD The Big Easy (Mooney Svendsen) also left alertly from post eight but found no seats available at the pylons and was forced to try for the front. Tuggin On My Heart and Cutting had no intentions of relinquishing the lead and those two battled throughout the torrid :54.4 half-mile as Juju Hanover (James Kennedy) and Ynotthishos (Nick Roland) tracked along in third and fourth, respectively.

Down the backside the brutal trip began to take its toll on PD The Big Easy and he began to wave the white flag while Ynotthishos got underway and launched his bid, going after stablemate Tuggin On My Heart as they rounded the far turn and registered 1:23 for three panels. At the head of the lane Tuggin On My Heart still had a narrow advantage, but both Juju Hanover and Ynotthishos were looming large and the result was a thrilling three-way battle to the wire with Ynotthishos surging right on the money to get home a neck in front of Juju Hanover and a half-length ahead of Tuggin On My Heart in a career best 1:52.1 mile.

Ynotthishos ($19.20) is a 6-year-old son of Domitian Hanover, owned by Dave Dobbelmann and trained by Edwin Quevedo. It was the fourth win of the season and 20th career tally for the winner of $171,078. The same connections also picked up third money with Tuggin On My Heart.

Majors Miracle ($20.40) pulled off an impressive upset in the $15,500 Mares Open Pace during a heavy downpour, which started with light rainfall as they lined up behind the gate but quickly evolved into a deluge during the contest.

Owner/trainer/driver Elson Miller did not wait long before moving the 5-year-old daughter of Luck Be Withyou to the front just past the fast :26.4 quarter-mile. Once on top they held control and fended off a strong challenge from JK My Girl (Brad Irvine) through the middle stages in :55.3 and 1:23.4 with Ain’t She Special tracking in the pocket.

In the lane Majors Miracle remained strong and Ain’t She Special (Luke Plano) shook free for a rally but could not get to the leader, while Always A Dancer (Brady Jenson) posted a strong late bid to grab the third spot in the 1:53.3 mile.

Majors Miracle now shows 10 career wins with earnings of $183,180.

Drivers James Kennedy and Elson Miller both recorded doubles on the program, while Miller also recorded a training double.

Live racing returns to Running Aces on Thursday night (June 20) for St. Jude Race Night, which will benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital. There is a draw-string bag giveaway and the night will also feature Thirsty Thursday drink specials and tastings, as well as trout fishing, food trucks and a drawing for a free ‘wagering spree.’ The first of 11 races will go to post at 6 p.m. (CDT).