Fast freshmen sizzle at What Cheer

Multiple lifetime marks were celebrated during the three-day weekend of harness racing at What Cheer, Ia.

Helens Fantasy (Wilson Wyoming, Adam Hauser) had the three-hole in the opener for 2-Year-Old Iowa Registered Trotters, the first filly division.  Turning her loose, Hauser had Helens Fantasy on top in 35.1 to the quarter.  Up by eight lengths as she passed the half, Helens Fantasy did not have to worry about challengers from the field.  Crossing the wire in 2:13.1, Helens Fantasy gained a new lifetime mark in her second win of the season for owner Cara Hauser.

In race two, Major’s Song (Major Athens, Chad Svendson) scored his first lifetime win trotting in the first colt/gelding division of 2-Year-Old Iowa Registered Trotters.  Getting away second behind Tonto (Gary Liles), Major’s Song made a move to the front as they reached the half.  Leading the trotters around the last turn, Major’s Song trotted to the win in 2:09 flat, to greet owners Rick Huffman, Caroll Huffman, Keith Wilson and Larry Mather in the winner’s circle.

She Pirate (Spectator K, Will Roland) was looking for more treasure in the second division of two-year-old trotting fillies, race three.  With an Ahoy Matey, She Pirate charged from the gate, looking for the lead.  Setting the fractions in 31.0, 1:02.2 and 1:33.0, She Pirate had all eyes on the prize.  With over a seven length lead, She Pirate captured the win, not only trotting for a new lifetime mark of 2:04.4 but her third straight win for owner Rian Sherman.

Svendson also had the assignment in race four with Lucky Twenty Two (Lukas Hall), the second division of two-year-old trotting colts/geldings.  Straight to the front from the two hole, Lucky Twenty Two didn’t look back.  Cutting the mile in 33.3, 1:07.4 and 1:40.0, Lucky Twenty Two held off challenger, Mykindofchrome (Will Roland) as they turned for home.  With a last quarter in 31.4, Lucky Twenty Two hit the wire for the win, trotting in 2:11.4, a new lifetime mark and third win in a row for Rick Huffman, Keith Wilson and Kayveonna Johnson.

Lucy Jewel (Lukas Hall, James Gould) competed in the last division of two-year-old trotting fillies, race five.  Getting away fourth, Lucy Jewel steadily made her way up the field.  Gaining the lead as they hit the lane, Lucy Jewel trotted home for the victory in 2:11 flat, her second career win and new lifetime mark for owners Justin and James Gould.

On Saturday (7/9), 2-Year-Old Iowa Registered pacers and 3-Year-Old Iowa Registered trotters were featured on the card.  In the opener, Pink Moonshine (Sneaky B Skipalong, Scott Smith) had the two-hole in the first division of two-year-old pacing fillies. Sprinting out of the gate, Pink Moonshine took a shot at the lead.

Setting the pace in 32.1, 1:04.4 and 1:34.2, Pink Moonshine led the field to the top of the stretch.  Pacing for the win in 2:05.1. Pink Moonshine dazzled the crowd in a new lifetime mark and third win of the season for owner Bernard Nanke.

Merly (Major Athens, Adam Hauser) competed in race two, the first filly division of three-year-old trotters.  Straight to the front from the three-hole, Merly trotted to the quarter in 30.2, half in 1:01.0 and was still in front as she passed the three-quarter-pole in 1:32.3.  Up by two lengths at the top of the lane, Merly found more trot to win by six in 2:04.2, new lifetime mark for owner Fred Wagner.

Chicken N Dice (Millionaire Cam, Will Roland) took to the track in the first division of two-year-old pacing colts/geldings, race three.  With a perfect season on the line, Chicken N Dice rolled out of the three-hole to take command.  Leading the field around the track in 30.0, 1:02.2 and 1:32.0, Chicken N Dice was still in front, holding off Take A Closer Look (Chad Svendsen) as they raced to the stretch.

Pacing home in 29.4, Chicken N Dice put the field away for the win.  Boasting five straight wins, Chicken N Dice also lowered his mark to 2:01.4 for Thomas Carey and Jesse De Long.

In race five, the second division of two-year-old pacing fillies, Sabrina Song (In Over My Head, Adam Hauser) was looking for her first lifetime win.  Getting away second from the rail, Sabrina Song sat in the pocket until past the half.  Taking the lead, Sabrina Song fought off all challengers as they raced for the finish line.  Pacing in 2:06.3, Sabrina Song greeted owners Cara Hauser and Brenda Mintun in the winner’s circle to celebrate her first racing victory.

Three-year-old trotting filly, Faithfulfilly (Major Athens, Chad Svendsen) drew the four-hole in race six.  As the gate folded, Faithfulfilly trotted for the lead and didn’t look back.  Leading the fillies around the track in 31.2, 1:03.0 and 1:34.0, Faithfulfilly and DP Cantabs Girls were only a head apart as they turned for home.  Battling for the wire, Faithfulfilly held on for the win, lowering her mark to 2:07 flat for owners Rick Huffman and Caroll Huffman.

The track at What Cheer was still fast on Sunday (7/10) as 3-Year-Old Iowa Registered Pacers competed.  First up, Forcing Between Yo (Special Forces, Chad Svendsen) sat on the second tier in the six-hole in the first division on three-year-old pacing fillies.  Getting away fifth, Forcing Between Yo sat until past the half to make a move.

Third as she passed the three-quarter-pole, Forcing Between Yo made a move on leader, Keepin My Distance (James Gould).  Taking over the front, Forcing Between Yo sprinted home in 30 flat to secure the win, pacing in 2:02.3 a new lifetime mark and first season win for owner/trainer Lorenza Gooch.

In the second three-year-old pacing filly division, Huntress (Huntsville, Adam Hauser) was on target to keep her season perfect.  Racing from the two-hole, Hauser and Huntress drove for the lead to set the pace.  Fractions in 29.1, 1:00.1 and 1:30.2, Huntress led the field to the stretch.  With a last quarter in 29.2, it was all Huntress for the win, lowering her mark to 1:59.4 and snaring five wins in a row for owner John Hendricks.

Hangman Mcgee (Matty Mcgee, Royal Roland) had the five-hole in race four, the second division of three-year-old pacing colts/geldings.  Parked out fourth at the quarter, Hangman Mcgee was in gear and charged on up to take the lead as they reached the half.  Full of pace, Hangman Mcgee set his sight on the line, crossing victoriously in 2:00 flat, lowering his mark by over two seconds for owner Terry Lattin.

Iowa harness racing resumes on Tuesday (7/12) at Bloomfield, Iowa.  Post time is scheduled for 6:00 pm CST.

For complete Friday race results, click here.

For complete Saturday race results, click here.

For complete Sunday race results, click here.

by Tara Spach, for the IaHHA