from Running Aces Harness Park

Columbus, MN — Drivers Dean Magee and Joey Mapes each scored hat tricks on the opening night program at Running Aces on Tuesday (May 31).

The duo shared the winner’s circle limelight over the final six races after reinsmen John DeLong, Gerry Longo and Will Roland had captured the first three races of the season over the well-groomed five-eighths-mile oval.

Running Aces photo

Driver John DeLong shoots up the newly-unveiled inside passing lane at Running Aces to win the inaugural race of the 2011 season at the Minnesota track.

Magee won the featured $6,000 conditioned pace in the quickest race of the night, a 1:54.1 victory behind At Last, a 5-year-old Western Ideal gelding owned and trained by Mark Anderson. The winner swept from last at the half to first at the wire, a half length ahead of Nicota (Dan Maier) and Delco Willobee (DeLong).

Magee also guided Another Opinion, another Anderson trainee, to a 2:00.1 maiden victory and finished the night with a 1:57 score behind double-gaited Realbadcombination for trainer Dan Poprawski.

Mapes’ good opening night started with a 1:55.4 tally with Capricious Art, owned by his father Ricky in partnership with Joe Palatas. It continued when he tallied with claimer Copy Chief for owner-trainer Cheryl Whitsell and ended with a 1:57 victory behind Expresso Forte in a $4,500 conditioned pace.

Two of the nine races were won using the newly-installed inside passing lane at Running Aces.

Racing resumes Wednesday night with a 7:00 p.m. (CDT) post time.