from Running Aces

Columbus, MN — As is the case at most smaller commercial tracks, the large majority of male race horses are geldings. For that reason, you occasionally see a rather obscure and completely unexpected track record established from out of the blue. Such was the case Sunday night (June 9) at Running Aces Harness Park in Minnesota, now in its sixth season.

Capitol Go established the all-time record for 4-year-old stallions. His 1:56.2 triumph wiped out the old record in that division by more than two full seconds. Even more surprisingly, it came in a race for conditioned claimers who were non-winners of three races and carried $6,000 claiming tags. Better yet, the driver was an 18-year-old provisional reinsman with just two previous pari-mutuel wins.

James Yoder, who won’t turn 19 until August, came to Minnesota as Tim Roach’s second trainer recently and got the impressive score in just his second drive at Running Aces. The quiet and likeable Yoder’s two previous commercial wins came at Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs, but he also has accumulated another dozen county fair wins in Indiana as part of his driving resume, which still includes less than 100 total races.

Capitol Go, owned and trained by Roach, is a son of Capital Request out of the Big Towner mare Jo Mama Hanover. It was just his third lifetime victory in his 20th lifetime attempt.

Racing resumes at Running Aces on Tuesday and Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. (CDT).