Running Aces Casino, Hotel and Racetrack has released several details about the upcoming 2023 harness racing meet, which will mark the 16th season for the Minnesota oval and comes on the heels of the track's most successful racing year to date, with record handle and record purses recorded during the 2022 Aces meet.

The racing schedule looks quite similar to last season, with live racing taking place every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings beginning on May 14 and concluding on Sept. 16. 

Exceptions for the 2023 season include a special Monday card on July 3 (in lieu of Independence Day, July 4), as well as special Friday and Saturday programs on closing weekend (Sept. 15 and 16) with no racing on Thursday, Sept. 14. Again this season, all post times are at 7 p.m. Central. 

Running Aces and Minnesota Harness Racing, Inc., which represents the horsemen in the state, recently signed a new five-year contract, which lays the groundwork for continued success and growth in the Minnesota harness racing program at Running Aces.

In addition to a very attractive purse structure, which will once again exceed $6 million in total purses and offer an overall average of more than $100,000 per night, this year will also offer additional improvements for horsemen including new stall gates on every stall and the elimination of stall service fees for horsemen that are stabled at the track and racing at Running Aces. 

Back for 2023 will be a full slate of late closers, including the Linkjack Hanover Pacing Series and the Burning Blaze Pacing Series, as well as the track's 'big three' free-for-all series events, which include the Ron Banks Memorial Mares Pace, the Dan Patch FFA and the Steve Wiseman Memorial Trot. Altogether, these series events will offer more than $250,000 (est.) in purses.

As always, the season will culminate with the Minnesota Harness Racing 'Night of Champions' program on Saturday, Sept. 16, which will spotlight the best and brightest in the fast growing Minnesota program. 

Running Aces offers horsemen a trailer park on the backstretch with fully furnished r/v trailers available to rent on a first come, first served basis, and subject to acceptance of the rules of use and conduct. Lots with hookups are also available for those that would like to bring their own r/v trailer. 

All horsemen who wish to race at Running Aces in 2023, whether they are requesting stalls at the track or plan to ship-in, must complete and sign a stall application and provide a list of horses that they plan to race. The stall applications include the rules and regulations for racing privileges at Running Aces. Completed and signed stall applications are due by Monday, March 13. 

The Running Aces website (RunAces.com) offers a full compliment of resources for prospective horsemen including the racing calendar, stall applications, late closer nomination forms, nice stable guidelines, shipping checklist and more. All of these links and much more can be found under the 'Horsemen Resources' tab. 

The 2023 Racing Brochure includes general information as well as the racing calendar, stall application, 2023 purse schedule, and late closer information and nomination forms.

All horsemen or interested parties with 2023 racing season related questions should contact Running Aces Racing Director Steve Carpenito via email at [email protected].

(With files from Running Aces)