The names Jim Marino and Justin Currie are pretty well known in western Canadian harness racing circles, but they may need to introduce themselves to some of the folks at the new track where they are currently racing some stock.
Running Aces in Minnesota opened its 2016 meet of live racing on Tuesday, May 17 in front of a very large and enthusiastic crowd.
According to the track, Jim Marino has joined the Running Aces driving colony for the summer meet. The B.C. native has been among the top drivers in that region for many years. He has racked up 1,987 wins to date and has driven his mounts to over $10 million in purse earnings. Marino’s best year to date came in 2012, when he won 192 races and steered his charges to just under $1.3 million.
Marino’s stable of charges at Running Aces this summer – along with fellow B.C. trainer Justin Currie – include the accomplished pacing mares Make Three Wishes and Back Stock, plus the sharp geldings Del Rio Seelster, and Red Star Tyson, as well as two Open-level pacers Premium Stock and Comes home First.
The featured event on Running Aces’ opening card on Tuesday was the $11,000 Fillies & Mares Open, which was won by the nine-year-old distaffer Windsun T Bird. Trainer/driver Tim Maier led his charge to a wire-to-wire victory in 1:55.2 . The margin of victory was two lengths, and the fractions were cut in :28.3, :58 and 1:26.4. The mare is owned by Robin Clements, of Wilton, CA.
Astute handicappers cashed in big on opening night as well, as multiple winners split the late 50-cent Pick-4 wager, taking home $801.70 each, while the late 50-cent Pick 3 returned a very respectable $439.05 for a 50-cent play.
Running Aces will be racing every Tuesday night (7 p.m. CT ) and Saturday and Sunday nights (6 p.m. CT ) now through September 3, and will add Wednesday nights (7 p.m. CT) starting July 27.
(With files from Running Aces)