from Running Aces Harness Park

Columbus, MN — A heavy thunderstorm accompanied by severe lightning caused cancellation of the 11th and final race on the Running Aces program Sunday night (June 10), but with the enthusiastic support of the trainers and drivers scheduled in the evening’s finale the race has been carried to Tuesday night and will be added as race nine on that program.

The first ten races produced some very tight finishes and exciting racing. Mark Anderson, last year’s leading trainer, started this season off strong with a pair of triumphs in the week’s two top pacing events.

At Last captured the $8,000 Open Pace over a fast-closing Ally-Con (Ron Wrenn, Jr.) in 1:54.1. Amigo De Garcia (Steve Wiseman) was third.

Four races later, Living It Up from the same stable captured a $6,500 top conditioned event in 1:55.1, topping Meritage Hanover (Evan Coblentz) and Tattler’s Jet (Gerry Longo).

Anderson owns both of the winners and the duo were driven by Lemoyne Svendsen.

Trainer Ricky Mapes and his driver son Joey also had a huge night before the storm. They combined for three wins on the undercard including Most Remarkable, who won a $5,500 conditioned pace in 1:55.3 over Kennairnmachmagic (Wrenn) and Bookie Farout (Svendsen). The Mapes’ other two winners were claimer Shark Lover and trotter Captain Korki.

Racing resumes at Running Aces Tuesday night with a 7 p.m. (CDT) post time. The regular Summer live racing schedule is Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m.; and Sunday nights at 6 p.m.