Sixteen races have been carded for opening weekend of the 2019 Minnesota harness racing season at Running Aces, highlighted by the $14,000 Open Handicap Pace on Saturday and the $15,000 Open Handicap Trot on Sunday.

The Saturday feature will see the return of top pacers Stuckey Dote and Firedrake as headliners. Stuckey Dote, who recently lowered his lifetime mark with a 1:50.3 score at Scioto, is the 6-5 morning line choice from his assigned seven post, and veteran Rick Magee will be at the controls for trainer Brett Ballinger. Firedrake, who was the inaugural Dan Patch FFA Pace winner in 2017, and close runner-up last season, starts from post six for trainer Nick Roland and looks for his first win of the year. Brian Detgen has the drive on Firedrake.

Sunday's card is headlined by the Open Trot and the return of Silverlode to the Minnesota oval. The now 10-year-old trotting mare is fresh off a stellar meet in northern California, where she dominated the Open ranks, including a North American record on February 23, when she trotted a mile and a half in 2:57.2. Steve Wiseman will steer Silverlode, as usual, for wife Kathleen Plested. Silverlode looks to carry on with a five-race win streak and has just surpassed the $250,000 mark in career spoils. Silverlode will square off against a good field of trotters, including fellow track record holder Banker Volo (Nick Roland) and former track record holder Al Mar Reba Babe (Dean Magee).

Driver Steve Wiseman is back and ready to defend his driving title from the past two seasons, and he's looking for a track record three titles in a row. Running Aces all-time leading driver Nick Roland will be back in full force looking to pick up his fourth title, and top veterans Rick Magee and Dean Magee will be among the leaders, and Minnesota Hall of Famer Lemoyne “Mooney Svendsen” is back and fresh off a fantastic season at Cal Expo where he was just nosed out at the finish for the title.

Trainer Kathie Plested is also back with a powerhouse stable to defend her leading trainer title, and is looking for her third consecutive Aces’ trophy and her fifth consecutive title on the California-Minnesota Circuit.

Saturday night will offer local fans some great beer and wine specials, as Running Aces’ popular “Keep it Local Night" is back to spotlight local breweries and wineries with free sampling and prize drawings, as well as free live music after the races every Saturday.

Sundays are family day at Running Aces, with free trout-pond fishing for kids, colouring contests plus drawings and contests for the adults and so much more.

Tuesdays' very popular “Dollar Night" promotion is back as well, offering fans tremendous value and a fun and extremely affordable night out.

All of the track's popular exotic wagers from last season are back, with at least two 50-cent Pick-3 offerings each night, plus early and late 50-cent Pick-4 wagers, the 20-cent Jackpot Pick-5 and the extremely popular 50-cent Hi-5 wagers on each of the last two races of the night. The 50-cent late Daily Double is also back and starts in the second to the last race.

Live racing spans 53 nights this summer at Running Aces, Saturday, May 18 through Saturday, September 14. Post times are 6 p.m. (CT) on weekends and 7 p.m. (CT) on Tuesdays.

(With files from Running Aces)