Oskaloosa, IA — Four of the eight featured race winners set new lifetime marks on an afternoon of hot competition and hot weather at the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds. Sunday’s (July 26) card showcased 13 fields of Iowa-registered sophomores and one field of Iowa-registered older trotters.

Stepping up in class, Yankee On The Move made his feature Iowa-Registered 3-year-old pace debut after two starts in the non-winners of $3,000 class this year. Coming off a big 2:00.4 mile at What Cheer two weeks ago, owner Bob Lems’ Yankee Skyscaper gelding was ready to play with the big boys.

In a field of six contenders with five having posted wins this year, driver James Gould eased Yankee On The Move off the gate letting the early leaders battle for position. Gould pulled the Mark Mintun trainee second up by the half, then tipped three wide in the final turn before sweeping to the front to take the mile in 1:59.4, a new lifetime mark and his third win in three starts.

In another impressive mile, Duane and Connie Roland’s 3-year-old Sportsmaster gelding Bizys Beatle took the second division in 2:00.4, dropping more than four seconds from his personal best.

Mark Mintun and Supreme Dumpling picked up a win and a new lifetime mark of 2:04.1. Gretchen Roland photo.

Three-year-old pacing filly Supreme Dumpling made her first trip to the winner’s circle this year. Drawing the rail, driver Mark Mintun took advantage of the post position by capturing the early lead. The Southern Ruler N filly faced little challenge taking the race in 2:04.1, a new lifetime mark. Owned and trained by John Saner, Supreme Dumpling was bred by Vernon Mast out of the Sportsmaster mare Sporty Dumpling.

The second division of 3-year-old pacing fillies went to Rob Anderson’s divisional standout Jennie Ann. The Lettherockbegin filly has won five of her past six races and posted the fastest pace of the day, winning in 1:59.1.

Rick Huffman and Keith Wilson’s 3-year-old trotter Scoreoneforme dropped two seconds from his previous mark beating a field of five in 2:04.3. Driven by Chad Svendson and trained by Rick Huffman, the son of Man Of Broadway posted his second win in 2020.

In another 2:04.3 mile, Itsonlymoneyhoney took the other division of Iowa-registered 3-year-old trotting colts with Michael Morales in the bike. Trained by Dan Roland and owned by Its Only Money Stable, the 3-year-old son of Banker Volo improved his lifetime stats to seven wins in 18 starts.

The first 3-year-old filly trot went to Lucky Playmate. Trained by Rick Huffman and driven by Chad Svendson, the daughter of Lucky Chucky out of the Pine Chip mare Almond Chip has only missed the board in one of her 17 lifetime starts. Lucky Playmate is owned by Rick and CD Huffman and Larry Mather.

Voted 2019 Iowa Horse of the Year by the Iowa Harness Horsemen’s Association membership, Gary Liles’ Battle Queen continued her reign with another win in the second division of trotting fillies. With Liles in the bike, the daughter of Yadi crossed the wire in 2:05, going three-for-three in 2020.

In another winning pairing of the Huffman stable and driver Chad Svendson, the Iowa-registered older trot went to CR Blaze. Svendson and the 4-year-old Amigo Ranger mare fired off the gate and led the field to the half in 1:03. It was a tight race with four lengths covering the top five contenders most of the mile. Svendson held off stretch charges by Hauser stablemates Al Mar Bonbon and Princess Legacy to take the mile in 2:03.3. Owned by David Gingerich, this is CR Blaze’s second win in 2020.

Iowa-registered racing action is set to resume Monday (July 27) with 2-year-old and older pacing competition. Watch Facebook and the Iowa Harness Horseman’s Association text alerts for any weather and track updates. Post time is 12:30 p.m.