Iowa three-year-olds battle at Humboldt

It was Iowa sophomores taking the track at Humboldt on Saturday (7/3) to start two days of holiday harness racing.  With a full card of eleven races, four divisions of trotters competed in the Glenn and Lorraine Jenson Memorial 3 YO Trot and four divisions of pacers competed in the Mark and Ethel Insko Memorial 3YO Pace.  With their eye on the prize, only the fastest mile would win the coveted blankets and bragging rights.

 In race five, the second division of three-year-old trotting colts and geldings took the track.  As the gate folded, Rowdy HIll (Jason Telfer) quickly left the gate to take the lead.  Not willing to settle in behind, I’m Another Wilson (Adam Hauser) pulled to take command as they hit the quarter pole.  Setting the fractions in 31.1, 1:02.3, 1:32.3, I’m Another Wilson had stretched his lead over the field by eight lengths.  All alone as he rounded the last turn, I’m Another Wilson cruised to victory in 2:03.4.  Returning to the winner’s circle for owners Carol Paris and Tyson Paris, I’m Another Wilson captured the Glenn and Lorraine Jenson Memorial 3 YO Trot blanket with his win.

Three-year-old pacing fillies were featured in race eight.  Sprinting from the gate, Welltheraceison (Will Roland) raced to the top, with Maze (Adam Hauser) settling in the pocket.  Tracking Welltheraceison until past the half, Maze tipped out and quickly took the lead on the backside.

Taking the field to the top of the stretch, Maze still paced with a purpose.  Holding off a late charging Char Char (Mark Mintun), it was all Maze as she crossed the wire.  Pacing to the win in a blazing 1:59.1, Maze was triumphant in the Mark and Ethel Insko Memorial 3 YO Pace for owner Bernard Nanke.

Sunday (7/4) saw Iowa freshmen racing at Humboldt.  Also competing for bragging rights, 2-year-old trotters fought in four divisions of the Orville Anderson Memorial 2 YO Trot, while four divisions of 2-year-old pacers looked to capture the Larry Frakes Memorial 2 YO Pace honor.

A full field of eight two-year-old trotting colts and geldings made their start in race two.  Fox River Luke (Bernard Demars) trotted out of the three-hole to take the lead.  Cutting the mile, Fox River Luke set the fractions of 30.4, 1:04.2 and 1:34.2.  With no one to challenge, Fox River Luke trotted his last quarter in 33 flat, crossing the line with a sixteen length lead.  With back to back wins for lessee Amos Hines, Fox River Luke scored the Orville Anderson Memorial 2 YO Trot in 2:07.2.

Six two-year-old pacing colts and geldings made their way to the starting gate in race five.  As the starter said go, Lucky To Be Sweet (Will Roland) paced out to the lead, with Perfect Force (Jason Ludwig) in second.  With an unfortunate break as they raced towards the half, Lucky To Be Sweet gave up the lead to Perfect Force with He’s Special (Mark Mintun) now in second.  On the back stretch, Mintun asked He’s Special for some pace.  Racing in tandem, He’s Special kept gaining ground on Perfect Force.  Taking over as they reached the turn, He’s Special kept up the charge.  With the focus now on the finish line, He’s Special paced hometown victory in 2:04.1  With his first lifetime win, He’s Special earned the right to wear the Larry Frakes Memorial 2 YO Pace blanket for owner Steven Huffman.

Iowa harness racing resumes with a three-day venue at What Cheer, on Friday (7/9), Saturday (7/10) and Sunday (7/11).  Post time for all three days will be 12:30pm CST.

For full race results, click here.