Running Aces Harness Park in Columbus won't officially open the 2008 racing season until Friday, but several hundred area residents took part in open houses on Friday and Saturday. The two-day event was sponsored by the track as a fund-raiser for the Lakes Area Youth Service Bureau and to give the facility's new staff some experience. Visitors toured the facility and learned about harness racing and the card games that will start in early July at the end of the first 50 days of racing. During Friday's tour, local residents Mary Preiner, Sue Fraley and Jenny Van Canneyt, left to right, met Mellow Road, a seven-year-old standardbred mare that has qualified to run at Running Aces. The horse is owned by Ron Lingle of Cottage Grove. Post time on Friday night is 6 p.m. with a full card of races planned. Running Aces is west of the I-35-TH-97 (CR-23) intersection.

(Photo By Cliff Buchan) 

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