from Running Aces

Columbus, MN — Condition sheets for the first week of the 2015 live racing season at Running Aces Harness Park are now available on both the USTA and the track’s websites. The 53-night meet commences on June 6 and ends September 12.

Current projections estimate an overall purse pool of $2 million, with 15% (plus an additional legislated supplement fund) earmarked for restricted Minnesota-sired races. Overnight purses will range from $2,000 to $8,000, with the average purse for all overnight races expected to be $4,670, slightly higher than the final 2014 comparable number.

The condition sheet reflects several changes over previous years, most notably allowing horses to qualify for condition races based on their last four starts rather than five. Because more horses will get class relief quicker, a formula requiring horses that ‘hit the board’ to move up for a limited number of starts will be introduced to insure that higher conditions are still able to fill.

A new bottom condition (N/W $500 in last 4) and a lower bottom claiming race level ($2,500) are planned to help ‘hard luck’ horses. On the other end of the spectrum, a new highest condition class (N/W $6000 in last 4) will also be introduced.

Stall applications are also available at the track’s website: www.runningacesharness.com. Deadline for submission is April 17.