by Gretchen Springer, for Iowa Harness Horse Association

What Cheer, IA — The first of three $65,000 Iowa Sires Stakes meets went off at What Cheer on Saturday (June 24) afternoon. One hundred and two competitors flooded the fairgrounds for the 18-race card.

Gretchen Springer photo

Iowa champion Broadway Sissy begins her title defense in style with a victory at What Cheer.

The meet kicked off with the Ernie Koltis Memorial Trot for 2-year-old fillies. Musical Range finished in 2:10.4 for driver/trainer Adam Hauser. The Duke’s Ranger-Bullville Music filly is owned by Carol and Tyson Paris.

The fastest time in the Ernie Koltis Memorial Trot for 2-year-old colts was posted by the Paul Liles owned and trained Some More Prince. John Saner drove the Rosemont Principal-S’more gelding in a 2:07.4 performance.

Tax Deadline had an excellent performance in his first Iowa start taking the 2-year-old colt pace in 2:02. Owned and trained by Jesse Delong, the Idealism-Whatifthere’smore gelding traveled from Wisconsin and bested the field with Eric Delong in the bike.

Two-year old pacer Lynn Bin Con Kin topped her class with a win in 2:06.2. The Marced Card-HF’s Super Star filly is owned by Duane and Connie Roland. She was trained and driven by top Iowa trainer Duane Roland.

The 2016 Iowa Sires Stakes Trotting filly champion Broadway Sissy started the season strong, looking to repeat her title in 2017. The Rick Huffman trained Broadway Or Bust filly teamed up with driver Robbie Anderson for the win in 2:04.2. She is owned by Rick and CD Huffman of Sigourney, Iowa.

The 3-year-old trot went to Cyclone Maximus from the Michael and Gail Conte stable. Dan Roland piloted the Duke’s Ranger gelding to the winner’s circle in 2:07.2.

Hailing from the Rick Huffman stable Juxtra Cowgirl, another 2016 Iowa Sires Stakes champion, returned on a mission to defend her title. The 3-year-old Relentless Yankee filly had the fastest time of the meet finishing in 2:01.

Fred Wagner’s 3-year-old gelding Pretty Boy Swag posted the fastest pace in his class. Trained and driven by Adam Hauiser, the Marced Card colt crossed the wire in 2:01.4.

The Iowa racing season continues on Sunday (July 2) at Humboldt. Post time is 12:30 p.m.