by the Iowa Harness Horse Association

What Cheer, IA — Iowa racing returned to the Keokuk County Fairgrounds with 13 races and four memorial trophies on Saturday (Sept. 1).

The Bob Stapp Memorial for 2-year-old trotting colts went to Ricky Be Sharp. Despite two early breaks Lorenza Gooch’s American Native gelding snapped back on the trot to take the top crossing the wire in 2:06.1, a tick off the Iowa season’s best for 2-year-old trotting colts, 2:06, set by competitor Al-Mar Winstar the last time the two faced off at What Cheer on July 13.

Photo courtesy of Iowa Harness Horse Association

Family presents theMike Smith Memorial to top Older Pacer Roland N Rock and the Roland Stable.

Minnesota import SB Head Of State went the fastest time for 2-year-old trotting fillies to win the Katherine Carey Memorial. Trained by Ulf Holm-Johansen and driven by Jesse Yoder, the Tom Ridge filly broke stride her first time down the back stretch and was shuffled back in the field. Taking three-quarters of a mile to recoup lost ground, SB Head of State caught the leaders sweeping out three wide at the head of the stretch to take command for the win in 2:08.

The James & Shirley Eden Memorial went to the fastest 2-year-old pace of four divisions, two for colts and two for fillies. Leading Iowa-Registered pacing colt Oh Toddles faced off against Iowa-sired champion My Money Honey in the first race of the card. Coming off of four wins Oh Toodles increased his total to five in a row setting the time to beat at 2:03 for trainer/driver Scott Smith and owners Debbie Philipp and Shirley Smith.

The 2-year-old pacing fillies were up to the challenge. Competing for the first time in a month, top fillies Heavy Handed Hanna and Snobbytown battled for the lead in a field of seven. Will Roland and Heavy Handed Hanna took the front early, with a parked Snobby town taking over at the half. The two were head-to-head at the top of the stretch and battled to the finish with Heavy Handed Hanna catching the wire in 2:02 to win the James & Shirley Eden Memorial for trainer Curtis Carey and owners Jesse Delong, Lindsay Reuckert and Jeff Carey.

Older pacers completed for the Mike Smith Memorial with Roland N Rock continuing his dominance in Iowa. Five older pacers challenged the crowd favorite, but the 6-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding proved himself again as the best clocking in the fastest mile of the day in 1:58.1. Roland N Rock is owned by Duane and Connie Roland.

In a surprise performance in the B-Class, Van Otterloo Stable’s filly Vyin For Attention captivated the crowd with a 2:01 mile. In only her third start, Will Roland piloted the Well Said filly in the fastest 2-year-old pace of the day. Dropping over seven seconds from her last start, a 2:08.1 win, Vyin For Attention now boasts the fastest 2-year-old filly pace of the year.

Iowa racing action resumes Sunday, (Sept. 2), with 3-year-olds and older Iowa trotters taking to the track at What Cheer. Post time is 12:30 p.m. CST