Running Aces 2026 Racing dates approved

COLUMBUS, Minn. (November 24, 2025) — Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack is pleased to announce its race dates for the 2026 meet, the 19th in its history, which have been approved by The Minnesota Racing Commission. 

The excitement of live harness racing will get underway on Sunday, May 17 and will conclude on  Saturday, Sept. 19, with a total of 55 nights of racing on tap.  

The racing schedule will be similar to the last couple of seasons, featuring live action three  nights per week on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday nights. The only exception is in the final  week of the season, in which Thursday, Sept. 17 will be dark in preparation for the special  Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday, Sept. 19 – the Minnesota Night of Champions festivities.  

Post time for all Tuesday evening racecards will be 7:00 p.m. (CDT), while post time for all  other race nights will be at 6:00 p.m. (CDT).  

Total purses for the 2026 meet are projected to surpass $6 million as they have during our  previous four seasons. Highlighting the action over the Minnesota five-eighths mile oval will  again be The Dan Patch (Free-For-All Pacers), The Ron Banks Memorial (F&M Free-For-All  Pacers) and The Steve Wiseman Memorial (Free-For-All Trotters).  

As always, all eyes are pointed to the final night of the meet, Saturday, Sept. 19, the Minnesota  Night of Champions. In 2025, a record equaling single-card total of $780,000 was distributed on  Closing Night to the best and brightest stars of the Minnesota-Sired Program.  

Additional featured race nights and promotions will be announced closer to the start of the  season.  

The stable area is scheduled to open on Kentucky Derby Day – Saturday, May 2 – to enhance the  festivities scheduled to take place at Running Aces that day. The first pre-season qualifying  session is scheduled for Thursday, May 7 over the Minnesota five-eighths mile oval.  

Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack plans to begin accepting stalls applications in mid January for the 2026 racing season.  

Questions regarding stall applications, race conditions or any other racing related inquiries  should be directed to Racing Director Steve Carpenito at 651-925-4532 or by email:  SCarpenito@RunAces.com.  

About Running Aces® Casino, Hotel & Racetrack 

Running Aces is the Twin Cities’ premier card room, hotel, and entertainment destination just 20  minutes North of St. Paul at 15201 Running Aces Boulevard in Columbus, Minn. With a 24/7 smoke free card room, including stadium gaming and simulcasting, plus live harness horse racing and trout  fishing in the summer season, Running Aces provides a local getaway any time of the year for the  whole family. The state-of-the-art 116-room, full-service hotel features a modern look, the latest 

technology, and fantastic racetrack views. Running Aces has been serving up the best in food, cards,  simulcast, entertainment, and customer service since 2008. 

Visit RunAces.com to prepare for a winning experience.  

CONTACT: Olivia Roebken, Running Aces, oroebken@runaces.com, 651-925-4586 Molly Mulvehill Steinke, Nemer Fieger, molly@nemerfieger.com, 612-309-1677

From Running Aces