Eldon, IA — Freshman trotters and pacers took to the track in Eldon, Iowa, on Wednesday (June 15).

Cory Larson had the lines on first time starter Marc Box Twenty in race three, the second division of the Marvin Saner Memorial 2-year-old pace. As the gate folded, Marc Box Twenty quickly sprinted for the top, leading the field to the quarter pole. Getting rough gaited, Marc Box Twenty regained the pace, but had to settle into second behind Juxta Millionaire (Chad Svendsen).

Racing from the pocket, Marc Box Twenty pulled at the three-quarters to retake the lead and didn’t look back. In full command, Marc Box Twenty crossed the line for the win, pacing in 2:16.1, with Larson capturing his 100th driving win.

On Thursday (June/16), older Iowa Registered horses competed in two divisions each of trotters and pacers.

Older mares were featured in the opener, with Its Pacific Time (Adam Hauser) on a mission from the two-hole. Pushing the gate out of the way, Its Pacific Time charged out to take the lead. Keeping Glorynhonorforever (Jason Ludwig) parked until the half, Its Pacific Time raced in front to the three-quarter-pole. Rounding the last turn, Nat A Cam (Will Roland) took her turn at the leader, but Its Pacific Time had no time for challengers. Pulling away from the pack, Its Pacific Time grabbed the win, pacing in 1:59.1.

Sparkplug Sparky (Paul Hochstedler) competed in the second division of older Iowa Registered trotters, race four. Leaving smartly from the four hole, Sparkplug Sparky trotted up in the lead. Uncontested around the track, Sparkplug Sparky led the horses to the top of the lane. With plenty of juice in the tank, Sparkplug Sparky crossed the wire ahead of the rest. Returning to the winner’s circle victorious, Sparkplug Sparky trotted his mile in 2:04.1 to give Hochstedler his first driving win.

Both Will Roland and Chad Svendsen picked up driving doubles on the day.

Roland drove Chipper Girl in the first division of Iowa Registered trotters, race two, for a wire-to-wire win. Roland’s second win came in race five for 3-year-old pacers. Driving CR Dudley from the four hole, Roland managed to get away first. Relinquishing the lead to Detonator Dude (Jason Telfer) past the quarter, CR Dudley regained command as they passed the half. Fighting off all challengers as they raced toward the finish line, CR Dudley held on for the win.

Svendson’s first win on the day came in race seven, the second division of 3-year-old pacers. Getting a perfect pocket trip on Mandy’s Prettygirl, Svendsen snuck up to grab the win at the wire, just beating Stone Cold Savage (Gary Liles). In the next race, Svendson drove 3-year-old trotter CR Vita Boy from the four hole in a gate-to-wire win for a driving double.

Iowa racing resumes on Saturday (June 18) at Humboldt, Iowa. Post time is 12:30 p.m. (CDT).