IaHHA names 2023 Horse of the Year

Awards were handed out Saturday (Nov. 18) honoring top harness racing horses racing the 2023 Iowa circuit.

Two-year-old pacing filly, Fenshiuprosperity (Somestarsomewhere), captured the top honor, being named 2023 Horse of the Year. Owned by Connie Roland and trained by her husband, Duane Roland, the filly made twelve starts her freshman season, with ten wins and a second place. She also earned $28,000 in purses, gaining her lifetime mark in 2:01.4. Fenshiuproperity also prospered in capturing the title of 2023 2-Year-Old Iowa Registered Pacing Filly.

Minnie Vinnie (Millionaire Cam) was awarded the 2023 Russell Doggett Fastest Aged Pacer of the Year and Aged Pacer of the Year. Owned by Rick Huffman, Jeff Carey and Jesse DeLong, the eight-year-old gelding capped off his lifetime record with 102 starts with 50 wins, 13 seconds and 14 third place finishes, bringing his lifetime earnings up to $278,667. Claiming the fastest aged pacer with a blistering 1:56.1 at the half-mile track in Nashua, Iowa.

The 2023 Trou Inspiration Fastest Trotter of the Year and Aged Trotter of the Year honors were given to Rush To The Bank (Banker Volo), owned by Vickie Rush and Jeralene Roland. The eight-year-old gelding also clocked his fastest mile at Nashua, Iowa, trotting in 1:58.4. Rush To The Bank increased his lifetime starts to 81, with 37 wins, 13 seconds and 5 third place finishes, banking a lifetime total of $212,386.

Two-year-old awards were captured by American Cross (Ice Machine), named 2-Year-Old Iowa Registered Trotting Filly. Owned by Aimes Racing, the filly started 12 times with two wins, seven seconds and three thirds. 2-Year-Old Iowa Registered Trotting Colt honors went to Last Of Braggert (Braggart), also owned by Aimes Racing. The freshman gelding made eleven starts, with five wins, four seconds and two third place finishes. 2-Year-Old Iowa Registered Pacing Colt honors went to Brother Buddy (In Over My Head), a gelding owned by Gary Liles. Making thirteen starts this season, Brother Buddy had seven wins, five seconds and thirteen thirds. Brother Buddy was also honored by being named 2-Year-Old Iowa Sired Pacing Colt of the year.

Lucy Jewel (Lukas Hall) started the awards for Iowa sophomores by winning the 3-Year-Old Iowa Registered Trotting Filly honor. Owned by brothers Justin and James Gould, the filly had twenty-seven starts this season, resulting in twelve wins, nine seconds and three thirds. The 3-Year-Old Iowa Registered Trotting Colt award was presented to Major’s Song (Major Athens), owned by Rick and CD Huffman, Keith Wilson and Larry Mather. The gelding had fourteen starts with ten wins and one second place finish. Two Star Magic (Somestarsomewhere) took top honors for 3-Year-Old Iowa Registered Pacing Filly. Owned by Roger Roland, his filly made nine starts over the season, capturing five wins and four seconds. Take A Closer Look (Artspeak) was awarded 3-Year-Old Iowa Pacing Colt. Making fourteen starts for owners Rick and CD Huffman, and Larry Mather, the gelding won four races, placed second seven times and gained two third place finishes.

Iowa Sired awards were also presented during the ceremony. Toots On Top (Spectacular K) gained top honors as 2-Year-Old Iowa Sired Trotting Filly, owned by Rian Sherman. Hitting the board in all sixteen of her starts, she captured six wins, four seconds and two third place finishes. Fast Lill Lou (Our House) picked up 2-Year-Old Trotting Colt. Owned by Marion “Jake” Saner, the colt captured seven wins, four seconds and one third out of fourteen starts. 2-Year-Old Iowa Pacing Filly honors were presented to Marced Fox (Marced Card), owned by Connie Roland. The filly had sixteen starts her freshman season, capturing six wins, five seconds and two third place finishes. The 3-Year-Old Iowa Sired Trotting Filly honor went to JB Velvet (Lukas Hall). The filly captured nine wins and two thirds out of her sixteen starts for owner Aimes Racing. Financial Swan (Lukas Hall) received 3-Year-Old Iowa Sired Trotting Colt honors for owners Royal Roland and Tom and Kathy Shipley. Trotting in eleven starts, the gelding gained three wins, four seconds and placed third twice. Millie Vanilllie (Millionaire Cam) was named 3-Year-Old Iowa Sired Pacing Filly for owner Larry Mather. Three wins, three seconds and five third place finishes were recorded for her in her sophomore season. Sneaknthruthenight (Sneaky B) was awarded 3-Year-Old Iowa Sired Pacing Colt. The colt, owned by James, Justin and Stephanie Gould, started thirteen times, with four wins, four seconds and three thirds.

Multiple Iowa drivers were celebrated for their 2023 achievements. Chad Svendsen was awarded Driver of the Year for most driving wins. With 243 starts, Svendsen picked up sixty-one wins. Duane Roland captured Driver of the Year with Highest UDRS (minimum 50 drives) with forty wins in 107 starts, earning a UDRS of 0.574. Roland also was awarded Trainer of the Year with Highest UDRS (minimum 50 drives) in 141 starts, rating of 0.495 in UDRS. Drivers capturing their first driving win this season were Kolton Hauser, Clayton Miller, and Rian Sherman.

Milestones achieved during the 2023 season were also celebrated for the following drivers and trainers:

Brian Larson, 100th driving win

Elvin Zimmerman, 100th training win

Chad Svendsen, 400th driving win

Duane Roland, 800th driving win

Will Roland, 800th driving win

Royal Roland, 1000th driving win

by Tara Spach, for the IaHHA