Columbus, MN — The opening night (May 14) harness racing program at Running Aces featured the $18,500 Open Trot with a talented field of nine going into battle.

Jack Rabbit Slims trotted strong to the wire to register a 1-1/4 length tally in 1:55 over Chiplosive. Nicole Tate photo.

Chiplosive (Explosive Matter) and driver Mooney Svendsen left alertly from post four and set the race fractions of :28.2, :57.2, and 1:26 while Ilini Earl (Dean Magee) pressured the leader to just past the half-mile before throwing in the towel.

Race favorite Body Armor enjoyed a pocket ride and Jack Vernon saved ground in fourth throughout while Jack Rabbit Slims (Luke Plano) settled away in fifth before launching a bid near the half-mile and asserting himself as they headed into the final turn.

As they rounded for home Chiplosive was unable to hold off Jack Rabbit Slims who straightened away with a short lead and then trotted strong to the wire to register a 1-1/4 length tally in 1:55 over Chiplosive to advance to a perfect 2-for-2 in 2023.

The winner is owned by Christopher Schick and is also trained by Plano. The 4-year-old gelding now shows eight career wins from 32 starts and earnings of $75,774.

Brady Jenson led the night with a driving triple as well as a training double. Trainer Quentin Schneider also registered a double on the card.

Players supported the nine-race program well, leading to a 36.8 percent increase in total handle over last year’s opening night card.

Live racing returns to Running Aces for the first ‘Dollar Night’ Tuesday program of the season on May 16 with a nine-race program that gets underway at 7 p.m. (CDT).