Running Aces is counting down the days to its 2016 meet of live racing. The track’s meet will kick off on Tuesday, May 17 at 7 p.m. (CDT).

The track’s first qualifiers session went forward on Thursday, May 12 over a ‘sloppy’ track. The highlight of the session was a sharp, dominating performance by Linkjack Hanover, who set the track record for three-year-old pacing colts (1:54) on opening night last season. Linkjack Hanover went on to lower the record again last season (1:53.2).

On Thursday, Linkjack Hanover qualified in 2:00 and was in hand by seven lengths over the sloppy going. He is owned, trained and was driven tonight by Jeff Ryan, of Goodhue, MN. The accomplished pacer Cantholdmebackmack (J.King) was also sharp in his 2:00.3 winning effort, as he charged home in :28.4 to hold off a strong late charge by Goody Two Socks (R.Magee). Running Aces will host another qualifying session this coming Saturday morning, at 10 a.m.

The 2016 season is shaping up to be a banner campaign for the nine-year-old track. The track will have an earlier start to its season, bigger purses, new wagers and over 60 new export locations, thus meaning bigger wagering pools for the players.

In addition to the bigger pools, there will be more chances for large jackpot-sized pools to build up, as new rules will allow the 50-cent Pick 3 wagers to be rolled over if not hit; plus the 50-cent Pick-6 wager will be a jackpot pool with the entire pool being paid out to a single winner, while multiple winners would share in 25 per cent of the pool.

Another exciting wagering change is the introduction of pentafecta wagering to the Minnesota racing fans, also known as the Hi-5, it will be offered on the last two races each night, with a 50-cent base bet and 100 per cent carryover if not hit.

(Running Aces)