by Gretchen Springer, IaHHA Executive Secretary

Humboldt, IA — Local residents and loyal fans made up a vocal crowd at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds where seventy-seven 2-year-olds took to the track for the first weekend of Iowa-registered racing in 2017. Five divisions of 2-year-old pacers competed in the Larry Frakes Memorial, with the fastest winning time of the day taking home the trophy.

Gretchen Springer photo

Adam Hauser and his family accept the Larry Frakes Memorial trophy with I’m On A Terror.

Scott Smith’s Art Major filly RD Majestic took he first division setting the bar at 2:08.2. She was unseated by the Curtis Carey trained Millionaire Cam colt Minnie Vinnie. With Eric Delong in the bike, Minnie Vinnie won in a 2:05.2 wire-to-wire performance, but was quickly replaced by a new leader in the following race. Duane and Connie Roland’s filly Lynn Bin Con Kin edged to the front of the pack finishing in 2:05.1.

The fourth division looked to be the toughest with multiple 2017 winners drawing into the same field. Jimmy Freight, the Sportswriter colt from the Rick Huffman Stable, continued his winning streak crossing the wire in 2:04.2.

The fifth and final division was a field of fillies. The Adam Hauser trained and driven I’m On A Terror started from the second tier and settled into the third position. This Fancy Schamnsy filly is new to the Hauser Stable, recently arriving from Minnesota.

“We’ve had her a week,” said Hauser. “Justin (Anfinson) just brought her down.”

I’m On A Terror gained ground, first passing The Real Prize with John Saner, then taking the top spot from Marced Super Star and Will Roland at the three-quarters.

“When I pulled her I could see Will was going really fast,” said Hauser. “I didn’t know if I was going to be able to win until the top of the stretch. She just had another gear.”

I’m On A Terror rolled through the stretch finishing in 2:04, besting all other fillies and colts to take the Larry Frakes Memorial trophy.

“She was ready to go – she’s a nice filly,” said Hauser.

Four divisions of trotters competed for the Lyle Bunston Memorial. Mark Mintun piloted Ima Juggernaut to a win in 2:09.4 in the first race of the day. The Lou’s Legacy colt’s time would hold off another Lou’s Legagy progeny, Princess Legacy, who took the second division in 2:12. Garry Phillips Broadway Or Bust colt Bust-N-Tuff won from the second tier in the third division lowering the time to beat to 2:08.2.

The fourth and final field of trotters was another tough field with three of the five posting wins this year. The Paul Liles owned and trained Some More Prince took the early lead with Hotrod Richard and Joel McDanel settling in second. Driven by John Saner Some More Prince held his own, fending off a late and impressive surge by Scramble Camp and Dan Roland that had the crowd cheering.

Some More Prince won by a neck in 2:05.3, securing the Lyle Bunston Memorial. Family members of the late Lyle Bunston were present to present the trophy.

“We raised him out of the mare S’more; she’s had a lot of nice colts for us,” said Liles. He and his wife Evelyn raise horses and race out of their farm outside of Batavia, Iowa.

“I think he’s going to be alright, but he’s going to have some stiff competition,” said Liles modestly, talking about the upcoming season.

The Rosemont Roy gelding improved his record to four wins and one second in just five starts.

Racing resumes on Tuesday (July 4) at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds with 3-year-olds competing in their first Iowa-registered races of 2017.