Humboldt, IA — Championship weekend at Humboldt started with the consolation races on Saturday (Sept. 26). The 14-race card highlighted eight consolation races on the half-mile track. With purses increased to $9,000 for each consolation race, excited fans at the track and watching on Facebook Live cheered on their favorites.

As the trotters left the gate in race one, 2-year-old Iowa Registered Colt Trot, Loicingdacake (Jason Ludwig) parked Rush To The Bank (Dan Roland) as they trotted to the quarter. Taking over the lead, Rush To The Bank held off all challengers as he crossed the wire. Returning to the winner’s circle for owners Jeri Roland and Vickie Rush, Rush To The Bank trotted his mile in 2:06.

Race two, 2-year-old Iowa Registered Colt Pace, Marc In The Box (Duane Roland) left briskly to take command. Cutting the fractions in :30, 1:02.2, and 1:33.3, it was all Marc In The Box. Pacing home in :30, Marc In The Box was victorious for owner Duane Roland, his mile in 2:03.3.

The 2-year-old trotting fillies competed in race three. The Glamazon (Brandon Jenson) pushed the gate out of her way, leading the field to the quarter. Coming to the half, SB Early Edition (Will Roland) pulled to take the lead. Holding on to her lead, SB Early Edition crossed the wire on top. Trotting her mile in 2:10.3, SB Early Edition gathered the win for owner June Huffman in the 2-year-old trotting filly consolation. The blanket presentation was made by Humboldt Fair Board.

The next consolation race belonged to 2-year-old pacing fillies. As the gate folded, Maze (Adam Hauser) and EF’s Tinkerbell (Rob Anderson) battled for the lead. After making the front, Maze had another battle when Brooklyn Wind Up (Royal Roland) pulled, challenging the leader as they raced to the half. Taking over, Brooklyn Wind Up led the fillies to the top of the stretch. After being parked second past the three-quarter pole, Starstruck Cowgirl (Will Roland) poured it on down the lane. Crossing the wire in 2:04.2, Starstruck Cowgirl picked up a new lifetime mark for owner Justin Anfinson. The blanket presentation was made by Humboldt Veterinary Clinic.

Race five started the consolation races for Iowa Registered 3-year-olds, featuring trotting colts. With the rail, Prince Banker (Mark Mintun) quickly took the lead. As the trotting colts raced to the half, Prince Banker maintained command, but Callthebanker (Will Roland) and Lone Star Tap (Brandon Jenson) were in line, directly behind the leader. As they approached the three-quarters, Callthebanker pulled up alongside Prince Banker. Turning into the stretch, Prince Banker and Callthebanker fought for home, but Lone Star Tap took full advantage of the passing lane, scoring the victory for owner Nancy Jenson, trotting home in 2:04. Memorial blanket presentation was made by the family of B. E. (Jack) Budahn.

Next up was the 3-year-old colt pace consolation in race six. Leaving from the three-hole, Alright Frankie showed a burst of speed as he took the lead for driver Will Roland. Not satisfied with a pocket trip, Lorenza Gooch pulled Waco Sassy Kid just before the half to challenge. Parked, Waco Sassy Kid matched strides with Alright Frankie as they paced to the top of the stretch. Finding more reserves, Waco Sassy Kid held off all challengers as he picked up the win for lessee Lorenza Gooch, pacing in 2:03.1. Blanket presentation was made by Sundance Lanes.

The 3-year-old trotting fillies lined up next in race seven for their consolation. Britches And Booty (Chad Svendson) trotted out for the lead, with Foxy Bright Star (Gary Liles) settling into second. Coming to the half, Andover Super Bowl (Sam Zimmerman) pulled to trot up beside the leader, with Storm In Motion (Brandon Jenson) following suit. As the fillies trotted down the backside, Britches And Booty maintained the lead to the three-quarter pole, with Andover Super Bowl at her side. As the leaders battled down the stretch, Foxy Bright Star pulled to the outside, taking the wire. Trotting to a new lifetime mark of 2:05.3, Foxy Bright Star returned to the winner’s circle for owner/trainer/driver Gary Liles.

The final consolation race on the card featured 3-year-old pacing fillies. As the gate folded in race eight, Roland brothers, Royal and Duane, dueled for the lead. Glorynhonorforever (Royal Roland) finally gained the front after Skylar Said (Duane Roland) dropped into the second spot. Cutting the fractions in :29.2, 1:00.1, and 1:32.2, Glorynhonorforever paced to the wire. Holding on to the lead, Glorynhonorforever picked up the win. Crossing the wire in 2:04, Glorynhonorforever paced a new lifetime best, for owners Royal and Barbara Roland.

Championship races will take place Sunday (Sept. 27) at Humboldt. Post time is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. (CDT).