by Darin Gagne, Track Announcer for Running Aces

Columbus, MN — Running Aces Casino & Racetrack just completed it’s 10th season of liveharness racing and numbers are up in every conceivable category.

Large crowds were the norm throughout the 2017 season,with a 36 percent increase from last season.

On-track live wagering handle was up 11.39 percent and liveexport handle was up 18.24 percent over 2016, which had been the best season onrecord until this year. The overall handle increase was 17.1 percent.

The new 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager was a success,producing large carryovers and large payouts, including a record 20-centpayout of $55,645.80 on Aug. 26.

Magnifique, driven by owner/trainer Gerald Longo stampedher name into the record books when she hit the wire first in the $12,000 maresopen handicap pace on July 18 at odds of 115-1 to record a state recordpari-mutuel payoff of $232.20 to win.

Average field size increased yet again as well, to 7.51and contributed to some of the best and most competitive racing around.

On the racetrack, there were so many amazing performances.No less than eight track record miles were turned in this summer at thebeautiful Minnesota oval.

Firedrake won nine races at Running Aces this season, forthe most wins of the meet, he also won the innagural $35,000 Dan Patch Free ForAll Pace on July 23 in 1:52.1 and set a new track record of 1:51.2 for 4-year-old pacing geldings on Sept. 3. Firedrake is owned by Jessica Johnson andtrained and driven by Nick Roland.

Banker Volo had an amazing season at Running Aces aswell. He stamped his legacy into the history books with a new all age trottingtrack record of 1:54.2, that he posted not just once, but twice this season(June 27 and July 25) during his seven trips to the Aces winner’s circle this year.

Banker Volo is owned by Dan Roland and was trained this season by Jenni Kingand Angie Coleman. Luke Plano did the driving.

Ideal Jesse became the fastest 3-year-old trotting coltin Running Aces history back on June 27, with his 1:56.1 victory forowner/trainer/driver James Yoder.

My Little Susie re-wrote the record for 4-year-oldtrotting mares with a 1:55 mile on June 17 with Steve Wiseman in the bike fortrainer Kathleen Plested and owners A Piece of The Action LLC.

Gold Star Mysti contributed an impressive new track markfor 4-year-old pacing mares in 1:51 on July 3 for the fastest mile of themeet, with trainer/driver James Yoder in the sulky for owner MarianneAudley. Gold Star Mysti was a fierce competitor in the mares open all seasonlong.

And Steve’s Hot Rod became the fastest 3-year-old geldingpacer in Running Aces history when he turned in a sparkling 1:51.4 mile onSept. 2 with trainer/driver Rick Magee steering for owner KatiSokolowski.

The 2017 Leading Driver award went to Steve Wiseman, with94 wins and a win impressive percentage of over 21, he also led alldrivers in purse money and UDRS.

The 2017 Leading Trainer award went to Kathleen Plestedwith 47 wins.

Running Aces wishes to congratulate the entire liveracing team for a job well done, and a very successfull season. We also wish tothank our loyal fans and our amazing horsemen for their continued support yearafter year.

Remember, Running Aces is a year-round facility withsimulcasting seven days a week,and Card Casino action 24 hours a day.

Stay informedabout upcoming events and promotions by visiting our website at www.RunAces.com. Check the website earlynext year for information about the 2018 live racing season.