Columbus, MN — Steve Carpenito is now in his third year as the top man on the racing side of things at Minnesota’s five-eighths-mile harness racing oval, Running Aces, and he is well settled into the role.

Steve Carpenito is now in his third year as the top man on the racing side of things at Running Aces. Dee Leftwich photo.

He has many years of experience in the sulky sport ranging from charter to track handicapper to mutuels manager and association steward to name just a few of the positions he has worked at along his journey in the sport, and is truly a student of the game.

I caught up with Steve recently for a Q & A session; here is what I learned:

DG: This is your third year at the helm of the Racing Department at Running Aces, what are your favorite things about your time here so far?

SC: I’ve met a lot of really nice people here in Minnesota, horsemen and staff alike. Plus the weather here, in the summer, is beautiful. It’s also nice to see such large and enthusiastic live crowds at the racetrack. As you know Darin, there are a lot of racetracks where it’s just not like that.

DG: As a Race Secretary/Director of Racing, what do you strive for?

SC: Carding competitive races is the goal. I would love to see a nine horse photo finish in every race. In reality, that is not always possible but that’s the goal. Due to the lack of other racetracks in shipping distance, you’re dealing with a fairly static horse population and you’ve got to try to get a little creative with racing conditions to keep things fresh.

DG: What goals are you hoping to achieve this season and beyond?

SC: Well Darin, last year we established a new all-source handle record here at Running Aces for a season. I would like to see that record go down again this year. While I’m at it, how about lowering the percentage of winning favorites and have a five way tie on leading trainer standings.

DG: What drew you to the sport of harness racing?

SC: It started for me when I walked into Roosevelt Raceway on a whim with some high school friends (we had no connection to racing). I just thought it was the greatest thing I had ever seen and literally fell in love with the sport instantly.

DG: What makes Running Aces such a unique harness racing venue?

SC: The lack of proximity to any other harness tracks definitely comes to mind, it is almost like a closed society. This can sometimes make it challenging to consistently make competitive races, but we strive to do so.

DG: Having devoted over 30 years to harness racing, what keeps you so devoted to the sport?

SC: No matter how many races I’ve witnessed, the excitement and noise generated from the fans on the track’s apron when the horses are four-deep turning for home never gets old.

DG: It was a particularly long and difficult winter in Minnesota, do you think that will play a role at the start of the meet for local stables?

SC: I would think that it has to play some sort of role, but I have full faith in the local horsemen that despite the challenges they have taken the necessary steps to have their horses ready at the start of the meet.

DG: What has been your favorite race(s) or performances on the track at Running Aces during your time here so far?

SC: Being able to bring back the Dan Patch Pace to Running Aces in 2022 was certainly a highlight. I was ecstatic to have a top pacer like Little Rocket Man come to Minnesota to compete in it. He equaled the all-age track record in the elimination. On night of the final, he took a lot of air chasing Caliber, took the lead deep stretch, only to get nailed late by a 25-1 A Major Omen. It was just a thrilling race.

DG: Who is your favorite harness horse of all time?

SC: Definitely Sandman Hanover, he possessed a wicked brush of speed and was one of the few horses that I ever saw sweep by the entire field down the backstretch at Yonkers Raceway.

DG: Steve, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer my questions!