Eagle Grove, IA – Awards were handed out Saturday (Nov. 18) honoring top horses racing the 2023 Iowa circuit.

Two-year-old pacing filly, Fenshiuprosperity, captured the top honor, being named 2023 Horse of the Year.  Owned by Connie Roland and trained by her husband, Duane Roland, the Somestarsomewhere filly made 12 starts her freshman season, with 10 wins and a second place.  She also earned $28,000 in purses, gaining her lifetime mark in 2:01.4.  Fenshiuproperity also prospered in capturing the title of 2023 2-Year-Old Iowa Registered Pacing Filly.

Minnie Vinnie was awarded the 2023 Russell Doggett Fastest Aged Pacer of the Year and Aged Pacer of the Year.  Owned by Rick Huffman, Jeff Carey and Jesse DeLong, the 8-year-old Millionaire Cam gelding capped off his lifetime record with 102 starts with 50 wins, 13 seconds and 14 third-place finishes, bringing his lifetime earnings up to $278,667.  Claiming the fastest aged pacer with a blistering 1:56.1 at the half-mile track in Nashua, IA.

The 2023 Trou Inspiration Fastest Trotter of the Year and Aged Trotter of the Year honors were given to Rush To The Bank, owned by Vickie Rush and Jeralene Roland.  The 8-year-old Banker Volo gelding also clocked his fastest mile at Nashua, IA, trotting in 1:58.4.  Rush To The Bank increased his lifetime starts to 81, with 37 wins, 13 seconds and five third-place finishes, banking a lifetime total of $212,386.

Two-year-old awards were captured by American Cross, named 2-Year Old Iowa Registered Trotting Filly.  Owned by Aimes Racing, the Ice Machine filly started 12 times with two wins, seven seconds and three thirds.  2-Year Old Iowa Registered Trotting Colt honors went to Last Of Braggert, also owned by Aimes Racing.  The freshman Braggart gelding made 11 starts, with five wins, four seconds and two third-place finishes.  2-Year Old Iowa Registered Pacing Colt honors went to Brother Buddy, an In Over My Head gelding owned by Gary Liles.  Making 13 starts this season, Brother Buddy had seven wins, five seconds and one third.  Brother Buddy was also honored by being named 2-Year Old Iowa Sired Pacing Colt of the Year.

Lucy Jewel started the awards for Iowa sophomores by winning the 3-Year Old Iowa Registered Trotting Filly honor.  Owned by brothers Justin and James Gould, the Lukas Hall filly had 27 starts this season, resulting in 12 wins, nine seconds and three thirds.  The 3-Year Old Iowa Registered Trotting Colt award was presented to Major’s Song, owned by Rick and CD Huffman, Keith Wilson and Larry Mather.  The Major Athens gelding had 14 starts with 10 wins and one second-place finish.  Two Star Magic took top honors for 3-Year Old Iowa Registered Pacing Filly.  Owned by Roger Roland, his Somestarsomewhere filly made nine starts over the season, capturing five wins and four seconds.  Take A Closer Look was awarded 3-Year Old Iowa Pacing Colt.  Making 14 starts for owners Rick and CD Huffman, and Larry Mather, the Artspeak gelding won four races, placed second seven times and gained two third-place finishes.

Iowa Sired awards were also presented during the ceremony.  Toots On Top by Spectacular K gained top honors as 2-Year Old Iowa Sired Trotting Filly, owned by Rian Sherman.  Hitting the board in all 16 of her starts, she captured six wins, four seconds and two third-place finishes.  Fast Lill Lou picked up 2-Year Old Trotting Colt.  Owned by Marion “Jake” Saner, the Our House colt, captured seven wins, four seconds and one third out of 14 starts.  2-Year Old Iowa Pacing Filly honors were presented to Marced Fox, owned by Connie Roland.  The Marced Card filly had 16 starts her freshman season, capturing six wins, five seconds and two third-place finishes.  The 3-Year Old Iowa Sired Trotting Filly honor went to JB Velvet.  The Lukas Hall filly captured nine wins and two thirds out of her 16 starts for owner Aimes Racing.  Financial Swan received 3-Year Old Iowa Sired Trotting Colt honors for owners Royal Roland and Tom and Kathy Shipley.  Trotting in 11 starts, the Lukas Hall gelding gained three wins, four seconds and placed third twice.  Millie Vanilllie was named 3-Year Old Iowa Sired Pacing Filly for owner Larry Mather.  Three wins, three seconds and five third-place finishes were recorded for the Millionaire Cam in her sophomore season.  Sneaknthruthenight was awarded 3-Year Old Iowa Sired Pacing Colt.  The Sneaky B colt, owned by James, Justin and Stephanie Gould, started 13 times, with four wins, four seconds and three thirds.

Multiple Iowa drivers were celebrated for their 2023 achievements.  Chad Svendsen was awarded Driver of the Year for most driving wins.  With 243 starts, Svendsen picked up 61 wins.  Duane Roland captured Driver of the Year with Highest UDRS (minimum 50 drives) with 40 wins in 107 starts, earning a UDRS of 0.574.  Roland also was awarded Trainer of the Year with Highest UDRS (minimum 50 drives) in 141 starts, rating of 0.495 in UDRS.  Drivers capturing their first driving win this season were Kolton Hauser, Clayton Miller, and Rian Sherman.

Milestones achieved during the 2023 season were also celebrated for the following drivers and trainers:

Brian Larson, 100th driving win
Elvin Zimmerman, 100th training win
Chad Svendsen, 400th driving win
Duane Roland, 800th driving win
Will Roland, 800th driving win
Royal Roland, 1,000th driving win