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Running Aces reports competitive 2025 meet; Minnesota-sired standardbreds earned majority of purse money
Summary
Running Aces staff told the Racing Commission that the 2025 meet produced solid competitive results for Minnesota-sired standardbreds and that property renovations and events are progressing, though total handle and races were down slightly from 2024.
A Running Aces representative and casino operations manager Jason Norby updated the Minnesota Racing Commission on Oct. 16 about the 2025 running season and property activity, reporting competitive racing and progress on venue improvements.
A Running Aces official said the 2025 season concluded Sept. 20 with the Night of Champions and distributed about $780,000 in purses to Minnesota-sired standardbreds on that night. The track reported 4,109 starters for the meet, with Minnesota-sired horses accounting for about 49% of starts and roughly 60% of purse money paid to Minnesota-sired standardbreds, according to the Running Aces presentation. Total purse distribution for the meet, including post-race supplements, exceeded $6.34 million; Norby said $795,000 of that total came from Minnesota Standardbred Breeders Fund supplements.
Running Aces contested 532 races this year, down 5% from 560 races in 2024; the representative attributed the decline mainly to a smaller horse population and a few weather-related cancellations. Average field size was reported at 7.72 starters per race, a modest decline from the prior year. Handle figures for the meet totaled roughly $9.6 million, with on-track wagering reported at about $700,000; Running Aces said per-race contract handle was up 1% year over year while export handle was down by a larger share.
On the property side, Jason Norby (senior casino operations manager) reported renovation and programming updates: the property remodel reached about 95% completion, new chairs were scheduled to arrive late October with installation expected by Nov. 10, and the fall poker tournament and other feature nights (bingo, trivia, charity events) drew new customer groups. Norby also returned from the gaming industry show G2E and said iGaming and sports betting remain major industry trends; Running Aces plans to request approval for a few new games at a future commission meeting.
What was not decided: no regulatory or budgetary votes were taken. The Running Aces representatives thanked horsemen and staff and said they will return to the commission with any requests for new gaming offerings at a later meeting.
Background details: the presenters framed the 2025 meet as historically notable for Minnesota-sired standardbreds earning a larger share of purse money than in previous years; they thanked horsemen and staff for the season’s operations and safety record. Norby also highlighted non-racing community events such as Freedom Fest and Special Olympics-related functions that drew additional visitors to the property.
Next steps: Running Aces said staff will bring requests for new games and any regulatory approvals to a future commission meeting (anticipated in November or December), and that the facility will host several fall and winter events while completing remodel work.
