Vino pops the cork on a new lifetime mark

Iowa harness racing 2024 Horse of the Year, Vino (Bit Of A Legend N), took to the track at Humboldt on Saturday (5/31), for his second start of his sophomore season. Looking to avenge his loss at What Cheer (5/25), Vino (Adam Hauser) drew the five-hole in race four, featuring three-year-old pacers.

As the gate folded, Mama’s Sunshine (Chad Svendsen) and Karpathian Queen (Mark Mintun) battled for the lead,  As the reached the quarter in 28.0, Mama’s Sunshine gained the lead, with Karpathian Queen taking the pocket, with Hobby Gone Crazy (James Gould) in third.

Maintaining positions, Mama’s Sunshine led the field to the half in 58.3.  Racing to the backstretch, Hobby Gone Crazy pulled to take over, while Vino made a bold move from fifth to follow her cover.  Reaching the three-quarters in 1:29 flat, Hobby Gone Crazy held the lead with Vino parked out in second.

As they rounded the last turn, Vino gained on the leader, Pacing up eye-to-eye with Hobby Gone Crazy, Vino edged ahead, pacing to take the lead at the top of the stretch.  As the wire approached, Vino captured the win by a length, pacing in 1:58.2, a new lifetime mark for owner Cara Hauser.

Iowa harness racing resumes on Saturday (6/7) at Nashua.  Post time is 12:30pm CST.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Tara Spach, for the IaHHA