Running Aces set for season opener Sunday
At 0h02, on May 17, 2025 • By Darin Gagné, Running Aces
The fields are set for the opening card of the 2025 harness racing season at Running Aces, which will be the 18th season at the Minnesota oval. A total of nine races will be contested on Sunday night (May 18) with the action getting underway at 7 p.m.
Trotters take center stage on Sundays at Running Aces and the opening night feature is the $14,750 Open Trot which drew a competitive field of six starters who have 132 combined wins and together have earned more than $1.8 million in purses.
The 9-year-old gelding Chiplosive (Explosive Matter) has been tabbed as the 5-2 morning line choice and will be looking for his first win of the season with Aces defending champion Brady Jenson in the bike for trainer Maria Alvarez.
Yo Lucky Money (International Moni) also hails from the Alvarez barn and comes into the event showing back-to-back east coast wins in his most recent starts, including a 1:56.1 score at The Meadowlands on April 25. He is the second pick on the early line at 3-1 and will have Williams Hernandez at the controls.
Dylan The Great (Break The Bank K) has garnered 7-2 respect as the third pick and sports a sharp 1:54.4 victory last out at Cal Expo. He will be guided by Sean Smithpeters and will try to notch his fifth win of the year for trainer Alexia Kehl.
All Champy (Explosive Matter) gets some strong consideration as well with a 4-1 listing. This classy competitor is in search of his 49th career win and has been knocking at the door in recent races in California. He has not been off the board in ten starts so far in 2025. Minnesota Hall of Famer Lemoyne “Mooney” Svendsen will be in the sulky.
There is also a nice field of seven competitors assembled for the top conditioned trot event, going for $9,000 in race eight. Warawee Whisper (Trixton) is set as the 3-1 early favorite in that contest and makes his first start since early April for trainer/driver Brady Jenson.
The 2025 season offers action three nights per week on Tuesdays (8 p.m.) and Thursdays and Sundays (7 p.m.) through mid-September.
