With just three programs left in Running Aces' live racing season, a three conditioners are embroiled in a neck-and-neck battle for the 2011 trainer’s title.

Mark Anderson, a native Minnesotan that returned to the Gopher State from California for the first time this year, holds the narrowest of margins with 26 trips to the winners circle. He is followed by Tim Maier and John De Long who each have produced 25 winners from their barns.

The closing night program on Labour Day will feature nine Minnesota-sired State Championship races worth $20,000 apiece, but none of the top three trainers are well represented in those finals. Maier is expected to start Gogan in the older horse and gelding pace, but neither Anderson or De Long have Minnesota-bred horses to enter.

So, the Saturday and Sunday night cards will likely determine the outcome of the tight trainer’s race. Maier has two horses programmed for Saturday, De Long has one and Anderson none. The Sunday card won’t be drawn until Friday morning, but all three conditioners are expected to have multiple entries from their stables on that night.

The driver’s dash title will belong to veteran Dean Magee for the second straight season. His 70 victories put him well ahead of Nick Roland 45, Rick Magee 42, De Long 35, Joey Mapes 24 and Maier 23.

(With files from Running Aces)