The harness racing program at Running Aces on Sunday, Aug. 17 will feature the $30,000 USD Steve Wiseman Memorial Trot with a talented field of seven contenders.

This event is now the marquee event during the month of August each year and honours the memory of one of the most popular and successful drivers to ever compete at Running Aces, Steve Wiseman. He was popular with fans and fellow horsemen alike and is remembered for his upbeat personality as well as his tremendous talent. Wiseman captured multiple driving and training titles at the Minnesota oval and competed here for more than 10 years.

Wiseman passed away in early 2021 after a battle with colon cancer. He was just 53 years old. The annual race is also partnered with The Colon Cancer Coalition as a benefit night for the charity in the name and memory of Wiseman. The Colon Cancer Coalition is devoted to not only finding advanced treatments but also focuses on spreading the word for early detection which can tremendously increase the chances of surviving colon cancer.

Steve's wife Kathie Plested-Wiseman continues on with the tradition of harness racing excellence, campaigning a successful stable of around 12 horses including 2024 Wiseman Trot Champion All Champy, a very classy 11-year-old son of Explosive Matter who recently posted his 50th career win in the Aces Open Handicap Trot on Aug. 3. Mooney Svendsen is the regular driver for Kathie's stable and has worked closely with the Wiseman stable for years. Mooney and Steve were extremely close and Svendsen has often shared that they were as close as brothers.

All Champy is back to defend his Wiseman title and will square off against DP Freedoms Chrome,  a four-year-old Minnesota-sired son of For You Almostfree. He is the reigning Minnesota Harness Horse of the Year and has won 15 of 16 starts at Running Aces during his career. He also recently became the fastest Minnesota-sired trotter of all time with a 1:51.2 score in the Open at Hoosier Park. This will be just the second local start of the year for DP Freedoms Chrome.

Another major contender in this year's Wiseman field is Escaper, a four-year-old son of Muscle Hill who is one of the top horses at the Aces meet this season and won last week's Wiseman Preview event in 1:56.2 over All Champy.

Here is a look at the 2025 Wiseman Trot field, slated as the seventh race on Sunday:

1. DP Freedoms Chrome  - James Gould - 4-5
2. Escaper - William Mann - 4-1
3 Bringoverthemoney - Dean Magee - 10-1
4. Talismano - Scott Cisco - 12-1
5. Dylan The Great - Sean Smithpeters -12-1
6. All Champy - Mooney Svendsen - 7-2
7. Brave By Design - Brady Jenson - 15-1

There is a Wiseman Trot-themed hat giveaway to the first 500 fans who purchase a live racing program as well as a 'Survivor' handicapping contest and 'Pepsi Family Night' specials and kids activities.

First post on Sunday is 6 p.m. (CDT). 

(Running Aces)