from the Iowa Harness Horse Association

What Cheer, IA — A two-horse duel came down to a photo finish with the win going to Lieutenant Governor Adam Gregg at the Keokuk County Fair. Iowa racing families and fans welcomed Gregg and State Representative David Maxwell to What Cheer on Saturday (July 14).

Iowa Harness Horse Association photo

State RepresentativeDavid Maxwell presented the winning blanket to Tappin Outamessage with ownerGretchen Springer, driver/trainer Will Roland and breeder Lesa Peters for thefastest 2-year-old pacer.

Gregg arrived surprised to find he had been put down to drive 3-year-old Hongerholt Red in a feature speed duel between the trotter and his stablemate 2-year-old pacing filly Hang Loose Hattie. Gregg had a challenge ahead of him. Hongerholdt Red had a year’s experience with a couple wins under his belt, but Hang Loose Hattie had already paced over four seconds faster than Hongerholt Red has trotted in 2018 and she had Duane Roland in the bike who currently leads the 2018 driver standings in Iowa.

Taking the reins in the two-seated cart next to Iowa Harness Horse Association President Royal Roland, Gregg took a firm hold of Hongerholt Red letting Hangloose Hattie cut the early fractions. The young pacer appeared to be distancing herself from Hongerholt Red, but Gregg had the chestnut gelding right where he wanted him, waiting to pounce when the time was right.

As the pair entered the head of the stretch, Gregg tipped out to make his move. Hongerholt Red responded charging down the straightaway until he was looking Hang Loose Hattie right in the eye. The pair crossed the finish line in a blur, with the crowd yelling and cheering, waiting for the photo to give clarity to the finish. It didn’t take long for the judges to see that Gregg had expertly piloted Hongerholt Red to a fantastic finish, winning by a nose.

After the race, Gregg met with racing families in the barn along with State Representative David Maxwell. Maxwell, a well-known face to the Iowa harness racing community, had sponsored two 2-year-old races earlier in the day. He joined the horses as well as their drivers, owners, trainers, and families in the winners circle to pose with winning blankets bearing his name.

Both Gregg and Maxwell spent time in the grandstand meeting with racing fans to show their support of agriculture in Iowa. The Iowa Harness Horse Association puts on meets throughout Iowa from May through Sept. in communities small and large. The racing industry’s economic impact is felt year round with both Iowa residents and out-of-staters from as close as neighboring Minnesota to as far away as California spending money on livestock, feed, training, travel, hotels, meals – and much more.

The support of elected officers like Gregg and Maxwell keeps the tradition of family harness racing alive and well in Iowa today.