from Running Aces Harness Park

Columbus, MN — The Running Aces entry box overflowed when it was opened Sunday morning (May 30) for the first two programs of the 2010 season on Tuesday (June 1) and Wednesday (June 2) nights. Director of Racing Gregg Keidel sorted through 258 entries and eventually ended up carding nine full-field races for each night.

“The response has been overwhelming to the start of our third season,” said Keidel. “The combination of increased purses, an outstanding horse-friendly facility and a later starting date have attracted new stables and encouraged private stabling at other Minnesota facilities.”

Highlighting the opening night card will be a $9,350 Class A pace featuring track record holder Arizona Liar. Owner Mark King will drive the 11-year-old stallion from an assigned post position eight, hoping to repeat his eye-popping 1:53 mile at Running Aces in 2009.

The likely betting favorite will get a stiff test from a trio of other $100,000-plus winners in Expresso Forte (driver Joey Mapes), Corner Blitz (Craig Banks) and Tattler’s Jet (Gerald Longo). A pair of California invaders may fit well, too, as Wilson Jay N (Steve Wiseman) and Amigo De Garcia (Tim Maier) make their initial Minnesota starts off victories in their last outings at Cal-Expo.

A pair of Minnesota-sired paces are also featured on opening night with $9,000 purses. The mares division is the Inaugural Pace featuring seven distaffers who notched Running Aces wins in 2009. Four of them are likely to hook up often this season as Chocollicious (Nick Roland), Cheese Plumper (Rick Magee), Mint Paddy (John DeLong) and Dandy Di (Tom Tetrick) renew their rivalry after a long winter break.

The “boys” will square off in race seven with Whirling Sam (DeLong), Gogan (Brandon Jenson), WW Win (Tetrick) and RC’s Rambling Man (Adam Hauser) the likely betting choices.

Running Aces will present programs every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. in addition to a Sunday late-afternoon matinee beginning at 5 p.m., central time.