Ron Banks Memorial draws 19 at Running Aces

Columbus, MN – The harness Racing Office at Running Aces has processed nineteen nominations for the 2024 Ron Banks Memorial FFA Mares Pace, which will get underway with $17,500 elimination races on Sunday (June 23) and will culminate with the $35,000 Final on Sunday (June 30).

Should all 19 nominees should enter the box for the eliminations, there will be 3 elimination divisions with the top three finishers from each elimination division returning for the final, should 18 horses or less enter the box for the eliminations, there will be just two elimination divisions and the top four from each division as well as the fastest fifth place finisher shall advance to the final.

The list of nominees in alphabetical order:

1. Ain’t She Special
2. Always A Dancer
3. Always Choose Chip
4. Better Double Flip
5. Catch N Kill
6. Crazy Cute
7. Disaronno Hill
8. Divine Art
9. Fox Valley Leah
10. Give Me This Dance
11. Graceful Horizon
12. Illusion Seelster
13. La Rockin Shania
14. Lady Angel
15. Magical Maya A
16. Majors Miracle
17. Premier Delight
18. Racin For Royalty
19. Two Pistol Annie

The Ron Banks Memorial honors the memory of a prominent figure in harness racing in Minnesota and the region. In addition to being an owner, trainer, breeder and announcer in the sport, Mr. Banks served on the board for the Minnesota horsemen for many years and was one of the people that worked diligently to bring a pari-mutuel harness track to the state. His efforts, along with many others, eventually led to the opening of Running Aces in 2008. He was inducted into the Minnesota Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2018.

Mr. Banks passed away in October of 2020 at his home in Cannon Falls, Minn. at the age of 73.

by Darin Gagne, for Running Aces