The Minnesota Harness Racing season kicked off on Saturday night, May 19 at Running Aces and Giggle Monster was one of the stars of the show.
The now 3 year old gelding pacer by Wind Me Up was a freshman star here in 2017, winning 7 of 9 races with 2 seconds. Tonight, Driver Dean Magee parlayed a rail-draw into an early 3-hole trip during moderate early fractions of 29.3 and 59.3 before launching first over to challenge command. After taking the lead before the 7/8 pole, Giggle Monster kicked home gamely to hold a one-length margin at the wire in 1:57.4 in his 2018 debut, Taking the opening night featured $8,800 3 year-old Open Pace. Giggle Monster is owned by Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte of Iowa, and he paid $4.20 to his pari-mutuel backers.
Another sharp winner on the card was Lincoln, a 7 year old gelding by Bettor’s Delight who fired strong from the 6 post on the gate to establish command early, and never look back- leaving his rivals 4 lengths behind in the process. Driver Steve Wiseman completed a double on the card with the 1:56.1 tally for Owner Robin Clements and Trainer Denise Maier. For Lincoln, it was his fifth win in 18 starts this year, and pushed his seasonal bankroll to $12,876.
Mooney Svendsen led all drivers on opening night with his 3 wins for a Hat-Trick, and Steve Wiseman and Dean Magee both completed driving doubles.
Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday night, May 20, 2018 with a first post of 6:00 pm CDT and a carryover in the .50 cent Hi-5 wager of $873 for race 7.