Larson enters triple digits at Eldon

Freshmen harness racing trotters and pacers took to the track in Eldon, Iowa on Wednesday (6/15).

Cory Larson had the lines on first time starter, Marc Box Twenty (Marced Card), in race three, the second division of the Marvin Saner Memorial 2 Year Old Pace. As the gate folded, Marc Box Twenty quickly sprinted for the top, leading the field to the quarter-pole. Getting rough gaited, Marc Box Twenty regained the pace, having to settle into second behind Juxta Millionaire (Chad Svendsen). Racing from the pocket, Marc Box Twenty pulled at the three-quarters to re-take the lead and didn’t look back. In full command, Marc Box Twenty crossed the line for the win, pacing in 2:16.1, with Larson capturing his 100th driving win.

On Thursday (6/16), Aged Iowa Registered horses competed in two divisions each of trotters and pacers. Aged mares were featured in the opener, with It’s Pacific Time (Its That Time, Adam Hauser) on a mission from the two-hole. Pushing the gate out of the way, It’s Pacific Time charged out to take the lead. Keeping Glorynhonorforever (Jason Ludwig) parked until the half, It’s Pacific Time raced in front to the three-quarter-pole. Rounding the last turn, Nat A Cam (Will Roland) took her turn at the leader, but It’s Pacific Time had no time for challengers. Pulling away from the pack, It’s Pacific Time grabbed the win, pacing in 1:59.1.

Sparkplug Sparky (Abra, Paul Hochstedler) competed in the second division of Aged Iowa Registered Trotters, race four. Leaving smartly from the four-hole, Sparkplug Sparky trotted up in the lead. Uncontested around the track, Sparkplug Sparky led the horses to the top of the lane. With plenty of juice in the tank, Sparkplug Sparky crossed the wire ahead of the rest. Returning to the winner’s circle victorious, Sparkplug Sparky trotted his mile in 2:04.1 to give Hochstedler his first driving win.

Both Will Roland and Chad Svendsen picked up driving doubles on the day. Roland drove Chipper Girl (Band’s Gold Chip) in the first division of Aged Iowa Registered Trotters, race two, for a wire-to-wire win. Roland’s second win came in race five, three-year-old pacers. Driving CR Dudley (Millionaire Cam) from the four-hole, Roland managed to get away first. Relinquishing the lead to Detonator Dude (Jason Telfer) past the quarter, CR Dudley regained command as they passed the half. Fighting off all challengers as they raced toward the finish line, CR Dudley held on for the win.

Svendson’s first win on the day came in race seven, the second division of three-year-old pacers. Getting a perfect pocket trip on Mandy’s Prettygirl (Transcending), Svendsen snuck up to grab the win at the wire, just beating Stone Cold Savage (Gary Liles). In the next race, Svendson drove three-year-old trotter CR Vita Boy (Don Boss Vita) from the four-hole in a gate-to-wire win for a driving double.

Iowa racing resumes on Saturday (6/18) at Humboldt, Iowa. Post time is 12:30pm CST.

For complete race results, click here.

by Tara Spach, for the IaHHA