Liles’ Memorial races top evening at Bloomfield

Iowa bred horses took the harness racing track Tuesday (7/12) for an evening of racing at Bloomfield, Ia.

In race one, the first division of two-year-old pacers, Juneparker (Will Roland) left from the rail to take the lead.  With Marc Box Twenty applying pressure, Juneparker led the field around the track.  Around the last turn, Juneparker opened up to cross the wire all alone, pacing in 2:04 flat, winning the Judy Liles Memorial blanket.

Two-year-old trotters were up next in race two.  As the gate folded, Really Late Date (Chad Svendsen) took command and didn’t look back.  Trotting around the track for the win, Really Late Date trotted in 2:15.0 for her first career win.

Race three featured the second division of two-year-old pacers.  Shoparazzi (Will Roland) quickly left from the two-hole to go straight to the top.  As the pacers raced around the track, Shoparazzi held off a late challenge by Anitas Red Rebel (Paul Hochstedler) as they raced down the backstretch.  Hitting the wire, Shoparazzi grabbed her first lifetime win, pacing in 2:06.1.

Three-year-old trotters competed in race four.  CR Vita Boy (Chad Svendsen) took the lead, racing from the four-hole, with Patchinswan Gonspi (Cary Sturtz) getting the pocket trip.  Patiently waiting until the last turn, Patchinswan Gonspi pulled to the outside, going stride for stride with CR Vita Boy.  Heads apart as they trotted for home, Patchinswan Gonspi found a little more, stretching out for his first lifetime victory, trotting in 2:06 flat.

The John Liles Junior Memorial took place in race five, featuring three-year-old pacers.  As the starting car folded the gates, Jonisaidso (Will Roland) and Garzilla (Chad Svendsen) hooked up in a battle for control.  Jonisaidso managed to gain the rail and kept Garzilla parked as they raced around the track.

Not taking a seat, Garzilla kept pressure on the outside until the last turn.  With gas left in the tank, Jonisaidso said goodbye to her competitor and crossed the line for the win, pacing in 2:02.4, a new lifetime mark.

Md Magic (Royal Roland) had the three-hole in race six, the Free For All Trot.  With inside horses going off stride, Md Magic trotted out for the lead.  Reaching the half, Sparkplug Sparky (Paul Hochstedler) snuck in behind to race in the pocket.  As they raced to the three-quarters, Sparkplug Sparky pulled to challenge, but Md Magic had more tricks up his sleeve.  Trotting a last quarter in 30.3, it was all Md Magic for the win.

The highlight of the night came in race seven, with drivers of less than ten wins looking to add to their stats.  Ronald Burks quickly drove Jojo Go N Spi to the top, from the two-hole.  Leading to the half, with Elliot Scheck and Western Devil in the pocket, Paul Hochstedler sent Rockme Socks Off up to challenge.

With horses stacked together around the last turn, Burks and Jojo Go N Spi maintained a short lead.   Down the lane, Heidi Saner pulled Beach Bum Harley from the back and less than a length separated the field as the wire drew near.  As the crowd cheered for the drivers, Burks and Jojo Go N Spi held on for the win, pacing in 2:03.2.

Iowa racing resumes on Saturday (7/16) at Nashua, Ia.  Post time is scheduled for 12:30 pm.

by Tara Spach, for the IaHHA