The first session of qualifiers went to post on Saturday night, May 12 at Running Aces, signaling the start of the Minnesota Harness Racing season.
A total of 10 dashes went to post starting at 6:00 pm, featuring 4 trotting contests and 6 races on the pace.
Track record holder Banker Volo (Nick Roland) turned in the fastest time on the trot, with his victory in 1:59.2, while the 5 year old trotting mare Whatevershesgot (Jenni King) turned in a good effort of 2:00.3 to best her qualifying field.
On the pacing side, the 7 year old stallion Stevensville (Rick Magee) was a sharp gate-to-wire winner in 1:57.1 (27.3 final quarter) for the fastest mile of the night.
Firedrake, last season's Dan Patch Free-For-All champion, and a track record holder as well- took his qualifying assignment with ease, in a 2 ¼ length romp in 1:57.3 with Nick Roland in the bike.
The other qualifying winners were: Margin Call (Rick Magee) 2:04.2, SVF Cash Deposit (Elvin Zimmerman) 2:05.2 on the trot, and on the pace we saw Friskie's Angel (Mooney Svendsen) in 1:58.3, Exsqueezeme (Mooney Svendsen) in 1:59.4, Lakota Law (Nick Roland) in 2:00.1, and an impressive win in 1:58.1 by Elusive Image (Tony Huffman)
Running Aces will offer qualifying races again on Tuesday Night, May 14 with a 6:00 pm post, and the Live Racing season opener is on Saturday night, May 19 at 6:00 pm CDT. Live Racing will be conducted three nights a week through September 15, on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
By Darin Gagne', Running Aces Track Announcer