Running Aces Casino, Hotel and Racetrack is accepting stall applications for its 2026 season of live harness racing, which will be the nineteenth season in the history of the Minnesota oval and will kick off on Sunday, May 17 and run through Saturday, Sept. 19.

The stall application forms are now available for download on the Running Aces website (runaces.com), along with the 2026 Horsemen Brochure, which includes late closer nomination forms, the racing schedule, estimated purse schedule and other important information and documents which are available for all prospective racing participants.

The 2026 meet will consist of 55 nights of action on a three-night per week schedule, which will be made up of Tuesday nights starting at 7 p.m. (CT) and Thursdays and Sundays starting at 6 p.m. (CT).

Total purses for 2026 are projected to top $6 million USD, which represents an overall nightly average of approximately $110,000 USD.

Running Aces will once again offer two early season series events (late closers), including the Banker Volo Trotting Series and the Burning Blaze Pacing Series that will be featured in May and June.

Also returning for 2026 are the track's three signature Free-For-All series events, including the Ron Banks Memorial for top pacing mares, which will be contested in June, followed by the $50,000 USD Dan Patch FFA for top male pacers in July and the Steve Wiseman Memorial for top trotters, which will highlight the action in August.

As per tradition, the Running Aces season will build up to the Minnesota Night of Champions program on closing night in September, when there will be special Friday and Saturday night cards (Sept. 18 & 19) to highlight the best trotters and pacers in the Minnesota-sired program.

Prospective trainers should complete and return completed stall applications to Racing Director Steve Carpenito. They may be mailed to the address provided on the application and must be postmarked on or before March 16, or they may be completed, scanned and emailed to [email protected], which is the preferred method of submission.

Applications must be submitted for all trainers that wish to compete at Running Aces in 2026, whether are applying for stalls at the track or planning to ship-in to race. Trainers must provide information on all horses that they intend to race at Running Aces.

There are limited opportunities for R.V. Camper rentals as well as R.V. Camper hookups in the stable area. Both are available on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to approval.

All inquiries and questions related to the upcoming 2026 racing season at Running Aces should be directed to Racing Director Steve Carpenito at 651-925-4532.

Important Dates for Running Aces 2026 Season:

• Stall Applications Due: Monday, March 16
• Stall Allocations: Tuesday, April 7
• Barn Assignments: Friday, April 17
• Backside Opens: Saturday, May 2 
• Pre-Season Qualifiers: Thursday, May 7 and Tuesday, May 12 at 12 p.m. 
• Opening Night: Sunday, May 17

(Running Aces)