Multiple marks taken at What Cheer

With full cards on both Saturday (Jul. 15) and Sunday (Jul. 16), harness racing fans at What Cheer saw multiple lifetime achievements accomplished by Iowa Registered freshmen and sophomores.

On Saturday, five horses lowered their lifetime marks on a good track.  Starting off the trend in race one for two-year-old pacing colts, Brother Buddy, owned, trained and driven by Gary Liles, got away fifth from the five-hole.  Content to track the field, Brother Buddy waited until the stretch to make a move.  With a last quarter in 31 flat, Brother Buddy trotted all out to capture the win in 2:04.0, lowering his previous mark by 4.3 seconds.

DP Annie’s Girl (Adam Hauser) lowered her mark in race four, featuring two-year-old trotting fillies.  Leaving from the rail, DP Annie’s Girl cut the mile in 32.3, 1:04.4 and 1:37.0.  Up by seven at the top of the lane, DP Annie’s Girl trotted home in 2:09 even, lowering her best by .4 seconds.

With a similar race plan, Fengshuiprosperity (Duane Roland) had the three hole in race seven for two-year-old pacing fillies.  Pacing to the lead, Fengshuiprosperity set the pace, with fractions in 31.2, 1:03.3 and 1:33.1.  Turning for home, Fengshuiprosperity achieved prosperity as she crossed the line in 2:04 flat, improving her mark by .2 seconds.

In race eleven for two-year-old pacers, Swift Honor (Royal Roland) got away second from the three-hole.  Sitting in the pocket until the half, Swift Honor pulled to challenge Bet On Butch (Will Roland), taking control as they raced past the three-quarter-pole.  With over a length lead, Swift Honor was quick to pace for the honor of winner.  Coming home in 30.0 seconds, Swift Honor lowered his mark by 3.1 seconds, winning in 2:03.3.

Western Chippie (Duane Roland) competed in race twelve, two-year-old pacers, drawing the four-hole.  Charging up to take the lead to the quarter-pole, Western Chippie was pushed back to third as Top This (Rob Anderson) gained control as they passed the half.  Not happy with his position, Western Chippie retook the lead at the three-quarters to battle Sweetest Honor (Royal Roland) down the lane.  Holding on for the win, Western Chippie improved his mark by two seconds with a new mark of 2:06.4.

Duane Roland had more to celebrate on the day, picking up his 800th winning drive in race three, with Marced Fox.  With Fengshuiprosperity winning in race seven and Recording Angel in race ten, Roland grabbed a driving triple.

But the most anticipated race of the day was the eighth, featuring Baby Flash (Chad Svendsen) who has won her first five starts.  As the Rick Huffman trained two-year-old trotting filly left from the four-hole, Baby Flash settled in nice for the pocket trip.  As Toots On Top (Rian Sherman) led the field to the half, Baby Flash flashed by the leader to take charge of the race.  With a five length lead at the wire, Baby Flash gained her sixth win in a row to remain perfect in her debut season and leading all two-year-olds in total wins on the USTA leaderboard.

Three-year-old trotters and pacers competed at What Cheer on Sunday.  Hocho Finalvictory (Rob Anderson) was looking for his first season’s win in the first race for three-year-old trotting colts/geldings.  With a sprint to the top, Hocho Finalvictory was all business, cutting the mile in 32.1, 1:05.1 and 1:36.0.  With a final push to the wire, Hocho Finalvictory claimed the victory with a new lifetime mark, trotting in 2:06.1.

Chicken N Dice (Will Roland) competed in race two, for three-year-old pacing colts/geldings.  As the gate folded, Chicken N Dice drifted into fifth, from the four-hole.  Moving up on the outside, Chicken N Dice was gaining ground on the field as they raced past the three-quarters.  In full gear, Chicken N Dice went from fourth to first upon reaching the top of the stretch.  Putting away the competition, it was all Chicken N Dice as he crossed the line, not only gaining a new lifetime mark in 1:59.1, but also remaining perfect in all fifteen of his lifetime starts for trainer Curtis Carey..

Chad Svendsen had the assignment on Airman’s Jackpot in race three for three-year-old trotting fillies.  Looking for a second win in a row, Airman’s Jackpot quickly trotted out for the lead.  With the fractions in 29.4, 59.1 and 1:29.3, Airman’s Jackpot had a commanding lead as they raced around the last turn.  Winning in 2:02 flat, Airman’s Jackpot hit the jackpot with a new lifetime mark.

Race four featured sophomore pacing fillies.  Black N Boo (Duane Roland) left quickly for the lead, taking the field to the three-quarter-pole.  The stretch became a battleground with Anita’s Red Rebel (Brett Erickson), Fillister Photo (Chad Svendsen) and Kahki’s Gal dueling for the wire.  In a last effort push at the line, Anita’s Red Rebel conquered the pack, winning in 2:03.2, a new lifetime mark.

In race nine, for three-year-old trotting colts/geldings, Luka (Jim Reese) left from the two-hole and didn’t look back.  Cutting the mile in 30.2, 1:00.0 and 1:30.1, Luka left the field behind, winning by eight lengths in 2:02 flat, gaining a new lifetime mark.

Racing resumes at Monticello, Iowa on Thursday (7/20).  Post time is 11am CST.

For complete Saturday race results, click here.

For complete Sunday race results, click here.

by Tara Spach, for IaHHA