Columbus, MN — The stage is set for the final two nights of harness racing for the 2021 season at Running Aces. Post time on both Friday (Sept. 17) and Saturday (Sept. 18) is 6:05 p.m. (CDT).

Friday’s program offers ten races, including three championship consolation events going for $15,000 each, as well as three top Open events which go for $13,800 each.

The Friday feature is the $15,000 consolation race for older male pacers and offers a full field of nine rivals including last year’s sophomore champion Its A Marcs World who is the 5-2 morning line favorite with driver Nick Roland. The 2018 Horse of the Year Burning Blaze is also in the field and drew post one with Adam Hauser driving (10-1), while other former championship winners Dream Chasin (Jacob Cutting, 10-1) and Bunkerhill Phil (Tony Kerwood, 6-1) are also in the talented field.

The Friday program also features a carryover of $2,049.42 in the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager.

Saturday’s Night of Champions program offers a state record of $560,000 in total purses across 12 races and offers a $7,500 guaranteed pool for the 20-cent Pick-5 Jackpot wager, with a mandatory payout. The Late Pick-3, Late Pick-4 and final race Hi-5 wagers are also subject to mandatory payouts on Saturday night.

In Saturday’s opener, the $45,000 sophomore male pace event, Alilthundadownunda (Nick Roland) has been installed as the 2-5 morning line choice. He has won 14 of his last 16 races and is currently at the top of the list for all 3-year-olds in North America by wins. He will be trying for his 15th win of the season on Saturday.

SB Bodacious (Rick Magee) is the 9-5 morning line pick in the talent-filled older male pacing division in Saturday’s 11th race which is one of the most highly anticipated races on the championship card. Other headliners in the field include Stuckey Dote (9-2), Whatchyastarinat (5-1), Giggle Monster (8-1) and Marktentwentyseven (8-1).

Rush To The Bank (Nick Roland, 2-5), The Royal Queen (Rick Magee, 9-5), Lone Star Tap (Brandon Jenson, 10-1), Shes A Showstopper (Jacob Cutting, 4-1), Teachmehowtotory (Nick Roland, 4-1), Bringoverthemoney (Jacob Cutting, 5-2) and It’s Pacific Time (Rick Magee, 7-2) are all trying for back-to-back championship wins, while Stuckey Dote (Jacob Cutting, 9-2) is also looking for back-to-back championship wins and a record fifth championship win; he currently has the record with four.

Nick Roland will be picking up the hardware this weekend for his sixth Running Aces leading driver title, and he is also the 2021 leading trainer, for his fourth Aces training title.