by Mary Lou Coady, publicity director, Prairie Meadows

Altoona, IA — The qualifiers from four Iowa-registered eliminations heading to the October 14 stakes championships were revealed during Friday’s (Oct. 6) race card at Prairie Meadows.

Race 1 — Keith Hopkins Pace Elimination — 2-year-old fillies. All horses return for the final. Betting favorite Pacific Flora (1:58.3) led the field by six lengths. Her paired entrymate, Princess Zoie, finished third. Also qualifying were Burn Um Babe, Starlight Rose, Red Hot Ginger, Khakisredneck, Last Night Out, and Whata Outlaw. Hot Panties was a late scratch.

Races 2 and 3 — Heartland Pace Eliminations — 2-year-old colts and geldings. Top five finishers from each race return for the final. As predicted on the morning line, Panaramic Art (1:57) led the charge of the top five in race two, followed by Lil Bit Quick, M And M Shohekan, Hot Day’s and No Road Parking. Sendhimdownthepike (2:00.3) won his elimination heat, followed by RD Rustler, Realbadcombination, Indian Crazy Horse, and Brooklynhoofharted.

Races 4 and 5 — Ledges Trot Eliminations — 2-year-old fillies. Southern Fire (2:03.1), the 2-1 program favorite, walloped her rivals by 16 lengths. Also earning a spot in the finals are Whatgetsyougoin, I’m Smokin, Clay’s Fair Lady, and Fox River Penny. Cyclone May (2:06.1) put 7-3/4 lengths on Miss In Love to win her elimination heat. Also heading to the finals are KB Amy, Sierra Queen, and Sierra No Angel.

Races 6 and 7 — Mt. Crescent Trot Eliminations — 2-year-old colts and geldings. Top five finishers from each race return for the final. Longbeach Tuffy (2:01.1) distanced the field by 10 lengths at the quarter pole and wheeled home on a margin of 13. Homestead Popper, Sierra Nansadolly, Sierra Sandra, and Smokemifyagotem all earned a spot in the finals. Jazz Brand was a late scratch, which reduced the field to five. Finishing in 2:04.4 in race seven, Lucky Redneck and Proud Valiant tied in a dead heat for first place. Lucasaurus, Tanker, and Homestead Class rounded out the top five qualifiers in their elimination heat.

Betting favorites dominated the first six races on Friday. Dr Lon, a longshot at $12.80, earned his fourth win of the year and recorded the night’s fastest pacing time in 1:54.1. Nick Roland notched a driving triple. Roland’s brother, Will Roland, also scored a victory on the card. Brandon Simpson earned a driving double.

Saturday’s card during Family Day at the Harness Races starts at 6:30 p.m. Junior Jockey Club begins at 5:00 p.m. followed by Family Day activities from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the track level and track apron areas.

Saturday’s elimination races for the Dr. Rival Pace, Brooklyn Jet Trot, Jodevin Trot, and Junie Manatt Pace will decide the entries in the championship finals on Saturday, October 14.

Race 1 — Dr. Rival Pace Elimination — 3-year-old colts and geldings. All horses return for the final. Detention Hall and West Bound Train are the paired entry favored at 2-1 odds. Cruisinthebadlands and Khanbert loom as the primary threats on paper. Also entered in this elimination race are Hearmenow, Ideal Lender, Frank The Tank, Quik Lil Juno, and Betabuddy Go N Spi.

Races 2 and 3 — Junie Manatt Pace Eliminations — 3-year-old fillies. Top five finishers from each race return for the final. Chillicious has received the early nod in her elim, with a slight edge over Louie Lu I. Songoffaith Sunset, Justa Sunset, Shesaboldbeliever, and Holls Park Place round out the field of six. No Swipen Swiper, winning three of 11 starts this year, is favored in the other elim. Completing the field of six are Bundle Of Dreams, Armaretto Bound, Military Honor, Hillary’s Dumpling, and Gambler’s Girl.

Races 4 and 5 — Brooklyn Jet Trot Eliminations — 3-year-old fillies. Howwilddoyawantme, with four wins in 2006, heads the field of five in race four. Completing this field are Natiemadiemaryann, Spring Ballad, Stormin Gal, and Karen Miller, who are all eligible for the final. Snooty Chip goes postward in race five hoping for her second win. Alittlebitloco, with four wins on the year, gets the second nod from the racing office. Rounding out the field of six are Drama Mama, Laurali Go N Spi, Clare Yoder, and Queen Of Sahara.

Race 6 — Jodevin Trot Elimination — 3-year-old colts and geldings. All 10 horses entered in this race are eligible for the final. Leading the way on Saturday are Charley’s Pride and Always A Stormin, the 2-1 paired stablemates. Also coupled for wagering purposes are Mighty Kicker and My Tryin Ryan at 9-2 odds. Completing the field are Homestead Branded, Jan’s Boy, Lucky Will, Homestead Joel, Perry Yoder, and Victor Beach, the latter who has nine wins on the year at 3-1 odds.

Also racing on Saturday are trotters Haddock Hill and Diamond Brand in race seven. Pavin Ice Cold looks for his third straight pacing win in race eight for Iowa-registered 4-year-olds and up. E C K and Gridiron lock horns in race nine. Saluki Fortune tries for her fifth win this year in race ten.