from Running Aces Harness Park

Columbus, MN — A speed-laden nine-race program at Running Aces on Sunday night (June 5) completed the first week of live racing for the season and featured the return of two of Minnesota’s finest state-breds to the winner’s circle. The $132,619 Sunday handle continued the four-year trend at the new Minnesota track of increased business levels week-over-week and year-over-year.

Partially due to the optimistic start of the season, and with the support of a busy 50-table cardroom contributing to purses, Running Aces has already announced a $500 per race across-the-board purse increase which will commence just two weeks into the meet. The minimum purse for any race will be $3,000 effective June 14 and when Open events attract a full field of nine the purse will be increased to $10,000.

Dandy Di and Restless Yankee, both trained by Bob Lems, made triumphant returns to Minnesota soil with dominating performances in state-restricted older pacing events.

Dandy Di (Nick Roland), a 6-year-old R C’s Sammy mare, won in 1:54.2 to increase her career earnings to over $140,000. Restless Yankee (Craig Banks), a 4-year-old Relentless Yankee gelding nearing the $100,000 earnings plateau, won almost as easily versus his male Minnesota counterparts in the identical clocking.

Both Dean Magee and Joey Mapes fashioned driving doubles on Sunday night.