Giggle Monster delivers in seasonal debut

The Minnesota Harness Racing season kicked off on Saturday night, May 19 at Running Aces and Giggle Monster was one of the stars of the show.

The now 3 year old gelding pacer by Wind Me Up was a freshman star here in 2017, winning 7 of 9 races with 2 seconds. Tonight, Driver Dean Magee parlayed a rail-draw into an early 3-hole trip during moderate early fractions of 29.3 and 59.3 before launching first over to challenge command. After taking the lead before the 7/8 pole, Giggle Monster kicked home gamely to hold a one-length margin at the wire in 1:57.4 in his 2018 debut, Taking the opening night featured $8,800 3 year-old Open Pace. Giggle Monster is owned by Alan and Cheryl Sandbulte of Iowa, and he paid $4.20 to his pari-mutuel backers.

Another sharp winner on the card was Lincoln, a 7 year old gelding by Bettor’s Delight who fired strong from the 6 post on the gate to establish command early, and never look back- leaving his rivals 4 lengths behind in the process. Driver Steve Wiseman completed a double on the card with the 1:56.1 tally for Owner Robin Clements and Trainer Denise Maier. For Lincoln, it was his fifth win in 18 starts this year, and pushed his seasonal bankroll to $12,876.

Mooney Svendsen led all drivers on opening night with his 3 wins for a Hat-Trick, and Steve Wiseman and Dean Magee both completed driving doubles.

Live Racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday night, May 20, 2018 with a first post of 6:00 pm CDT and a carryover in the .50 cent Hi-5 wager of $873 for race 7.