Championship hopefuls in action at What Cheer

As the harness racing season begins to wind down, Iowa horses look to solidify their points standings as they race towards Championship weekend.

The first race on Saturday (9/4) at What Cheer featured two-year-old pacing colts/geldings.  As the gate folded, Night King (Rob Anderson) quickly took the lead, with He’s Special (Mark Mintun) dropping in the pocket.  Racing past the half, He’s Special took control and was up by a length as he turned for home.  With a last quarter in 30 flat, He’s Special captured the win in 1:59.2, a new lifetime mark.

Hunting for back to back wins, Huntress (Adam Hauser) drew post position four in race three, two-year-old pacing fillies.  Spunkytown (Mark Mintun) had other ideas as she cut the mile in 30.3, 1:02.4 and 1:33.1, leaving Huntress to track from behind in fifth.  At the top of the lane, Huntress had made her way up to second and poured on the pace.  Finishing on top by a length, Huntress paced her last quarter in 29.1 to pick up the win in 2:02.4.

Mintun looked to repeat with Toast The Host in race four, a two-year-old trotting filly division.  Starting from the rail, Toast The Host trotted in full command of the mile, fractions in 30.4, 1:02, and 1:32.  With no competition in sight, Toast The Host cruised to victory in 2:03.1, her ninth win on the season and eighth in a row.

Royal Roland and Fox River Luke took the track in race six, the second division of two-year-old trotting colt/geldings. With a brush to the front from the four-hole, Fox River Luke trotted with authority in 32.3, 107, and the three-quarters in 1:38 flat.  Holding off Princeofthefield (Adam Hauser), Fox River Luke trotted for the win in 2:09, his eight win this season.

Race nine featured Iowa four-year-old and older pacing stallions/geldings with Iowa favorites taking the track.  Drawing the two-hole, Minnie Vinnie (Will Roland) sprinted for the lead as the gate folded.  Not looking back, Minnie Vinnie set the tone, with fractions in 29.4, 59.1 and 1:28 flat.  Up by five as he turned for home, Minnie Vinnie was all alone as he crossed the wire.  With a blistering last quarter of 29, Minnie Vinnie returned to the winner’s circle, victorious, in 1:57 flat.

Sunday (9/5) at What Cheer featured Iowa sophomores as they competed in their respective divisions.

Three-year-old trotting fillies took center stage in race four.  With a full field of eight, Nutter Butter (Mark Mintun) trotted out for the lead.  Cutting the mile in  30.3, 1:03.1 and 1:34, Nutter Butter was still on top as they reached the stretch.  But Operation Shipley (Royal Roland) had their eye on the prize as they made their way from fifth to second when the field turned for home.  With a blazing last quarter in 29.4, Operation Shipley trotted for the win in 2:04.1.

Imoutthedoor (Chad Svendsen) looked to shut the door on his division of three-year-old pacing colts/geldings.  Pacing out from the two-hole, Imoutthedoor set the pace in 29, 58.4 and 1:28.3.  His last quarter of 30.2 sealed the win for the Rick Huffman trained gelding, race timed in 1:59 flat.

The second division of three-year-old trotting colts/geldings was held in race six.  Adam Hauser had to settle I’m Another Wilson before the start as the colt went briefly off stride.  Trotting as the starting car pulled away, I’m Another Wilson had his head in the game to take the lead.  Trotting around the track in 31.2, 1:03.2 and 1:33.1 I’m Another Wilson built a five length lead at the three-quarter pole.  As he raced to the finish line, I’m Another Wilson gained his third win in a row, in 2:04 flat.

Race seven saw Marced Debutant (Cory Larson) in total control of the race.  With her second win in a row, the three-year-old pacing filly went gate to wire, pacing in 30.1, 1:03, 1:32  and the winning time of 2:01.1.

Four-year-old and older Iowa trotters competed in race eight.  As Lone Star Tap (Bandon Jenson) took the lead, Passion In Paris (Adam Hauser) settled into second.  Cutting the mile in 30, 1:00 and 1:30.2, Lone Star Tap still held on for the lead.  Tracking from third, CR Valentine (Chad Svendsen) was looking for the stretch to make her move.  With a last quarter of 29.3, CR Valentine charged to the finish line, winning by half a length in 2:01.1.

Iowa racing returns next Saturday (9/11) and Sunday (9/12) at Humboldt, Iowa.  Post time is 12:30 pm CDT.

by Tara Spach, for the Iowa Harness Horseman’s Association