Running Aces forced to cancel Saturday program
July 2, 2011,from Running Aces Harness Park
Columbus, MN — Regrettably, the Saturday night (July 2) card at Running Aces Harness Park has been canceled due to a budget impasse between the governor and state legislators.
The feud has led to a state of Minnesota government shutdown which includes the Minnesota Racing Commission, which regulates the industry.
The track had hoped that its petition of a judicially-appointed Special Master would result in a continuation of the self-sustaining MRC, which is wholly funded by licensing fees from the two racetracks in Minnesota plus its employees and participants.
A decision on the Sunday night program will be announced by 9 a.m. Sunday morning. A remote possibility exists, if a positive decision by the Special Master is forthcoming Saturday, that several of the Saturday night races could be added to the Sunday program.
Running Aces horsemen have graciously agreed to wait one week in hopes that racing can resume, but have indicated they will leave for other states if the state government doesn’t settle on a budget agreement by that deadline, or if judicial relief isn’t forthcoming.
- State budget impasse threatens Running Aces meet (Friday, July 01, 2011)
The state of Minnesota’s government shutdown, which began at midnight Thursday evening, is threatening to postpone or end the 2011 race meet at Running Aces.
- Sunday card canceled at Running Aces (Sunday, July 03, 2011)
The Sunday night program scheduled for Running Aces Harness Park has been canceled, just as Saturday night’s was, due to a budget impasse between Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and state legislators.
- Running Aces canceled again (Tuesday, July 05, 2011)
For the third consecutive program, Running Aces races scheduled for Tuesday night have been canceled due to the ongoing Minnesota State government shutdown.