Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack announced a formal partnership with This Old Horse, continuing its commitment to Minnesota’s Standardbred horses and their well-being after a racing career.
This Old Horse is a multi-accredited, non-profit racehorse aftercare program with 13 locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Along with a variety of joint efforts, Running Aces has committed to annual funding for various training, rehoming, rehabilitation and safety support for qualified Standardbred horses transitioning into retirement.
While Running Aces has a history of support for racehorse aftercare, Taro Ito, President and CEO, proposed the idea to formalize the company’s position on an annual basis.
“This is an important issue for our industry and I know it is the right thing to do,” said Ito.
Running Aces, considered one of the most beautiful, well-maintained harness racetracks in the U.S., presents live racing between May and September each year and plays host to more than 250 Standardbred racehorses each year. Race fans are interested in learning what happens next to equine athletes once their racing days are over and Running Aces management believes this new program will provide assurances to the public that they are committed to what happens to these horses after the finish line, too.
“This is good news for Standardbred horses,” said Nancy Turner, President of This Old Horse. “This commitment by Minnesota’s harness racing industry is one of the most innovative and progressive aftercare support programs in the country. The desire of the racing industry to work together to assure the well-being of racehorses at every stage of their life and the willingness to work collaboratively to make it happen is inspiring.”
The Minnesota Harness Racing, Inc., representing drivers, trainers, owners and grooms who work in the Minnesota Standardbred industry and promotes the welfare of racehorses, has pledged a portion of race start fees to this initiative as well.
“We are pleased that our organization has the opportunity to collaborate with Running Aces and Racehorse Reimagined to provide aftercare resources to our versatile equine athletes, which will enable retraining as a stepping stone for the next career of their lives after racing," said Cathy Dessert, Vice President of Minnesota Harness Racing.
Barb Colombo, Vice Chair of the Minnesota Racing Commission, stated, “We applaud RA, its bold efforts to help ensure the safe and healthy retirement of Standardbred racehorses, and in many cases, transitioning them to quality second careers."
Running Aces will start its 2023 live horse racing season on Sunday, May 14 and will race every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 7 p.m. The full list of promotional days and events will be available soon at RunAces.com.
(With files from Running Aces)