from Running Aces Harness Park

Columbus, MN — Tattler’s Jet, a 10-year-old gelding, lowered the track record at Running Aces Harness Park by over a full second on Monday night, May 5, wiring a classy field of pacers in 1:54.3.

It was the 67th career victory for owner David Carter’s son of Tattler’s Torpedo. The Apostle (Duane Miller) was second and Robin Of Locksley (Gerald Longo) got the show dough.

Not only was it unusual for a 10-year-old horse to establish an all-age track record, but the age of the driver in the best-ever performance was equally noteworthy, but for the exact opposite reason. John DeLong, 19, was the sulky-sitter for trainer Gene Miller.

Eight championship legs of popular inaugural season late closing series were contested over the weekend. On Monday, a maiden trotting series called the Jacks Up was captured by Tricky Game after favored Terrific Triumph made an uncharacteristic break in stride going to the quarter. The winning son of Sorcerer Hanover is owned, trained and was driven by Duane Miller. Angels Wink (Brian Detgen) rallied to finish second with Bit O Wyoming (Rick Magee) the third to cross the finish line.

Two races later the Queens Up series for maiden pacing fillies and mares went much the same way, with heavily favored E Q Three getting roughed up with a grueling first-over journey before fading to finish fourth. That left the door open for owner-trainer-driver Jenni King’s Aftermath Two to notch a narrow 1:58.4 victory following a thrilling stretch drive. Britts (Adam Hauser) made a valiant effort to go gate-to-wire before being nailed in the final strides. Dandy Di (Robert Lems) also closed furiously to garner third place money.

The Trip Queens series featured non-winners of two distaff pacers and Double Dash (Detgen) upset favored Just Kidding You (Rick Magee) and Golightyourworld (DeLong) in 1:58.3. The champion Admiral’s Galley filly had only won one preliminary leg, a division of the first leg, but picked a good time to establish a new lifetime mark for owner Karlee Roach.

The Sunday matinee program, raced in front of another huge Family Day throng of fans at the newly opened Twin Cities track, featured another trio of series finales. Unlike the Monday night championships, these were all captured by favorites who were multiple preliminary leg winners.

The Kings Up for male maidens went to Our Second Chance (DeLong), who dominated in 1:59.1, winning by six lengths over Bold Attack (Hauser) and Art Exposed (Duane Miller).

Mac T’s Diamond (Joey Mapes) completed a clean sweep of the Kings Full series for male non-winners of four races, sweeping by Alberts Orchard (Greg Henderson) in 1:58.2. Longshot Miles O’Malley (Duane Miller) was third.

A similar series for mares, called the Queens Full, saw Beach Fire (Nick Roland) best Scootonovernkissme (J.D. Perrin) and Brooklyn Khaki (Mapes) in a sharp 2:00.2 score.

Saturday night’s series wrap-up races also fell to even money favorites. Saltea’s Sanjay (DeLong) topped Placek (Perrin) and Sammy Kankan (Lems) in the Trip Kings championship for horses and geldings who hadn’t won two races entering the event. The winner sped right to the lead from the outside post and took no prisoners in the 1:57.2 mile.

The most lucrative final, the $7,500 Four Kings championship, was won by Love Is Amazing, who swept all three prelims as well. Evan Coblentz not only drove the star of the series to the 1:58.3 tally, but also trains and owns him. Good Sport (DeLong) was a little over a length behind at the finish, while Diamond Toy (Ron Morales) overcame the outside post draw to finish third.

Director of Racing Gregg Keidel will soon announce another set of late closers to be raced at Minnesota’s only commercial harness track in June.

Running Aces will present a couple non-betting miniature pony races to delight the fans this coming Sunday, May 11, which also features an outstanding Mother’s Day Brunch. The following Sunday, May 18, a half-dozen lucky fans will win an opportunity to actually circle the Running Aces racetrack in a two-seated jog cart being pulled by a real racehorse, with an actual professional driver at their side.

Post time for live racing at Running Aces is 6:00 p.m. (CDT) on Friday, Saturday and Monday. The Sunday Family Day races begin at 3:00 p.m. Simulcast wagering on most of America’s top tracks, as well as a variety of dining options, is available from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. seven days a week.