by Gretchen Springer, Iowa Harness Horse Association

Floris, IA — The early Oskaloosa meet on Saturday (June 17) and Sunday (June 18) was highlighted by a track record-breaking performance and close competition for a cheering crowd. Three of the 11 races on the second day of the meet were decided by a photo, Iowa favorites didn’t disappoint and new 2-year-old talent emerged as the Iowa racing season progresses.

The older Iowa pacer Roland N Rock clocked in at 1:56, a new track record on the Osky Oval. The 4-year-old Rocknroll Hanover gelding took advantage of a fast surface with owner Duane Roland in the bike. The previous record of 1:56.4 was set in 2002 by Whata Terror.

Gretchen Springer photo

Roland N Rock sets a new track record of 1:56 at the Oskaloosa meet on the Iowa fair circuit.

The 4-year-old trotting mare Al-Mar Bonbon bested the boys in the Iowa trot for older horses. Trained and driven by Adam Hauser, the daughter of SOS Lunar Eclipse crossed the wire in 2:03.4 for owner Cara Hauser.

Two-year-old pacer Jimmy Freight amazed the crowd with his 2:00.4 debut. Trained and driven by Rick Huffman, the Sportswriter-Allamerican Summer gelding rolled to victory three seconds faster than the closest competition and over a full second faster than the 3-year-old pacers. Jimmy Freight was bred by Alan and Randell Eden in Lone Tree, Iowa, and is owned by Rick Huffman, CD Huffman and Larry Mather.

John Saner drove the top performing 2-year-old trotter Some More Prince. Owned, raised and trained by Paul Liles, the Iowa-sired Rosemont Principal-S’Mores gelding finished in 2:05.4 and is looking to be one of the top trotters in 2017.

Driven by Robbie Anderson, Sneak On Bye posted the fastest 3-year-old pace of the meet in 2:02.1 beating stablemate Sun Belle Slippery by a nose. Trained by Curtis Carey, the Iowa-sired Sneaky B Skipalong gelding is owned by Alan and Randell Eden.

The top 3-year-old trotter was Broadway Sissy. Hailing from the Rick Huffman Stable, the Iowa-sired Broadway Or Bust filly clocked in faster than the aged competition at a speedy 2:02.4 for driver Robbie Anderson.

Racing resumes next weekend in What Cheer at 12:30 p.m. with the first $65,000 Iowa Sires Stakes competition of 2017.