A warm night, a fast track and an enthusiastic crowd all welcomed live commercial harness racing back to Minnesota on Wednesday night as Running Aces Harness Park presented its first of 54 programs in 2014.

Barbazon upset a field of talented ‘square-gaiters’ in the $8,500 Open Trot by leaving alertly, yielding to sit the pocket for most of the mile, then angling out in deep stretch to win by a head in 1:56.4 at 13-1 odds. It was the ninth on-the-board finish in the last 10 starts for the eight-year-old gelding owned by Timothy Hall and driven by newcomer Rob Dinning.

Although he appeared to be moving up in class after racing in mid-range claimers at Northfield Park, Miami Valley Raceway, Hazel Park and Hoosier Park in recent months, Barbazon, a razor-sharp son of Wilson Wyoming, was able to best favorites Sharpshootennorris (driven by Steve Wiseman) and Natural Forces (Kim Pluta) who finished second and third while racing respectably in their own right.

Driver-trainer Tim Maier enjoyed a huge opening night at Running Aces with three trips to the winner's circle, all with charges from his own stable. One of Minnesota's perennial leading conditioners, Maier's trio of wins started with his wife Denise's Sinimatic, who broke his maiden in 1:58.1. In the next race, Maier guided Terror Time, who impressed in his initial Running Aces season in 2013, to an eye-popping 1:53.2 score in a $3,500 claiming pace for owner Robin Clements. The veteran horseman capped of his triple by capturing the finale with Emery Vern, also owned by his wife, in 1:55.3.

Jason Ryan notched a driving and training double with claiming pacers Sgt Charlie (1:56.2) and Haroun Hanover (1:54.3).

Racing will resume on a four-nights-a-week schedule every Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday night throughout the summer.

(Running Aces)