Iowa season opener held at What Cheer

Iowa harness racing held the season opener Sunday (5/25) at What Cheer.  The overcast skies did not dampen the excitement as it coursed throughout the barn area all the way to the grandstand.  Fans anxiously watched as Iowa freshmen made their track debut, sophomores returned for their second season and perennial favorites returned in the Free For Alls.

The highlight today belonged to the Free For All Pacers in race eight, featuring Iowa power-houses; Red N Hotallover (Chad Svendsen), Jennie Ann (Rob Anderson), It’s A Marc’s World (Jason Ludwig), Moon Kid Photo (Mark Minton) and Minnie Vinnie (Kolton Hauser)  As the gate folded, Red N Hotallover sprinted for the lead only to find Moon Kid Photo having the same idea.  Head to head around the first turn, Moon Kid Photo finally took possession in 29.3 as Red N Hotalllover settled into second, with Jennie Ann on her back.

Lined up coming down the stretch for the first time, Moon Kid Photo led the field to the half in 59.3, with no change in positions.  Pulling mid-turn, Jennie Ann made a move to challenge the leader.  Pacing in tandem, Moon Kid Photo and Jennie Ann hit the three-quarter-pole in 1:30.0.

With more gas in the tank, Jennie Ann overtook Moon Kid Photo as she hit the top of the lane.  Holding off Moon Kid Photo, Jennie Ann had her sights on the finish line.  But making a bold move from the back, It’s A Mark World (Marced Card) charged up to catch the field and take the win by half a length, race time in 2:01.2.

Iowa harness racing resumes Saturday (5/31) at Humboldt, IA.  Post time is scheduled for 12:30pm CST.

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

by Tara Spach, for the IaHHA