After having persevered through an adverse set of circumstances since its inception five years ago, Minnesota's Running Aces Harness Park is looking forward to its 2012 season of live racing with a renewed sense of optimism
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The track's season opener is still some weeks away --- the raceway will host its first live card of the year on June 6 --- although, with the forced shutdown of 2011 and layoffs now in the rear-view mirror, officials at the well-oiled and professional facility are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to take some strides forward in 2012.
"Looking at our history is important," Running Aces General Manager Bob Farinella has been quoted as saying in an article by The Star Tribune. "And what that history shows is that our business has gotten better each year.
"We're excited. We've made great strides."
The Star Tribune report states that more than 420 horse owners have applied to rent stalls at the track and that management is making a concerted effort to make knowledgeable racing fans out of its eager customers.
Farinella said that the track is continuing "to educate those who come for racing, to help them understand how racing works" and that the track's major issue remains the rough economy in the current climate. "But we're working through these things," he said. "We're profitable. Not having to look in a dark hole every day has its advantages."
(With files from The Star Tribune)
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