Running Aces Casino & Racetrack

Running Aces Casino and Racetrack is 5/8 mile racino located in Columbus, Minnesota. The park also has a card room. The park opened in April 2008. The live race season runs from June through August.

Running Aces Casino, Hotel & Racetrack
LocationColumbus, Minnesota
Coordinates45°14′40″N 93°02′02″W / 45.24452°N 93.03379°W / 45.24452; -93.03379
Owned byNorth Metro Harness Initiative
Date openedApril 11th, 2008
Race typeHarness
Course type5/8 mile agricultural lime & stone dust racetrack
Notable racesMinnesota Night of Champions
Official website

History

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In the venue's first year of operation, it ran a $4 million loss for the year. By 2010, the venue was facing foreclosure. In 2013, the track's license was revoked, and it had to pay back $400,000 in a purse shortfall.[1]

In 2015, the racetrack rebranded itself as an "entertainment center".[2] In 2016, Running Aces opened a trout fishing pond on the property. In 2020, the venue opened a hotel to attract visitors.[1]

In 2024, Minnesota's racing commission voted to allow betting on historical horse racing, an effort Running Aces strongly lobbied for.[3] Later that year, the racetrack filed a federal racketeering lawsuit against three of Minnesota's tribal casinos, arguing that the tribes were operating card games beyond regulatory agreements, in direct competition with their card room.[4][5][6] Running Aces later added two other casinos owned by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community to their ongoing racketeering lawsuit.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Hyatt, Kim (2020-03-01). "Running Aces Casino and Racetrack raises the stakes with new hotel". www.startribune.com. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  2. ^ Miron, Michelle (2015-10-12). "Fresh start: Running Aces re-branded as entertainment center". Press Publications. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  3. ^ Blount, Rachel (2024-04-03). "Racing Commission votes to allow historical horse racing games at Canterbury Park, Running Aces". www.startribune.com. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  4. ^ "Running Aces suit alleges tribal casinos in Minnesota are running illegal games". MPR News. 2024-04-16. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  5. ^ Lewerenz, Jennifer. "Running Aces Takes Legal Action Against Tribal Casinos for Alleged Racketeering". KNSI. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  6. ^ Peterson, Sarah (2024-04-16). "Running Aces sues local casino execs, claims they've offered unauthorized games". KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
  7. ^ Frasier, Krystal (2024-05-14). "Mystic Lake, Little Six Casinos added to lawsuit filed by Running Aces on unauthorized games". KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News. Retrieved 2024-11-08.