from the Iowa Harness Horse Association
What Cheer, IA — SB Angelindisguise came out of hiding and blindsided the Iowa 3-year-old pacing scene exposing himself as a true contender in 2018 in a spectacular performance on Sunday (July 15). The maiden dominated a field of top competitors to pace the fastest mile of the day – over three seconds faster than all other divisions.
Four fields of 3-year-old pacers competed in the Iowa-registered feature races on the last day of racing at the Keokuk County Fair. SB Angelindisguise drew into the toughest group for the Jim Coulter Memorial with 2017 Iowa Champion and Art Ronney runner-up Minnie Vinnie, who was poised to stay perfect in Iowa in 2018.
SB Angelindisguise and driver Mark Mintun drew the outside in post position five, with Minnie Vinnie and Will Roland having the disadvantage with post position six in the second tier. SB Angelindisguise flew off the gate, made a bold move staying three wide around the first turn until capturing the lead on the backstretch and hit the quarter-mile pole in :29.2. Minnie Vinnie had settled into fifth off the gate, then started working his way up just past the quarter. The Millionaire Cam gelding surged past SB Angelindisguise on the stretch and took control of the field before the half, passing the grandstand for the first time in :58.3.
Minnie Vinnie continued to lead with SB Angelindisguise lurking closely behind. The pair increased their distance from the pack, passing the three-quarters in 1:28.1. Mintun tipped out SB Angelindisguise as they entered the final turn and gained ground with every step until the two colts were head-to-head going into the final straightaway. Minnie Vinnie continued at top speed, but SB Angelindisguise rose to the challenge flying past to win the Jim Coulter Memorial in 1:57.3.
SB Angelindisguise is owned by Mark Mintun, Stephanie Gould and Bigshow Racing Stable. The Iowa-sired Sneaky B Skipalong gelding joined the Mintun/Gould stable at Humboldt this spring. After battling some sickness earlier in the year SB Angelindisguise has shown great promise this season, finishing second to Minnie Vinnie before winning his race today.
The other division of Iowa-registered 3-year-old pacing colts went to Duane Roland’s Marced Card gelding, Marc Mellow Man, who won in 2:01.4.
There were also two divisions in the Purina Feed Iowa-registered 3-year-old pace. Mintun piloted both of those winners as well. Sneakydontfailme, a Sneaky B Skipalong filly from his stable won the first division in 2:01.2. The second went to Gene Miller’s Sand Shooter filly Bunkerhill Jill. Both fillies remain undefeated in Iowa-registered racing this year.
Iowa racing action resumes on Tuesday (July 17) at the Davis County Fair in Bloomfield.