Inspired by perfect weather, more than $57,000 in purses and an excellent track that superintendent of speed Mark Holtan calls “honest,” in regard to dimensions -- and therefore race fractions -- some seasons leaders performed predictably and others were surpassed by emerging talent.

Rick Mishler’s Dakota Spur--Marisa’s Express (Super Gill) filly Beauty got the lead quickly in a field of six, trotted wire-to-wire, and posted for her first win this year, a 2.10.3 victory for Mishler, who drove her, and for Nancy Jenson, who trains Beauty at Humboldt.

Lyle Bunston's Patsy B Happy finished fifth after having made a costly break in the $6000 race.

Long Beach Lucy finished second for owner Jerry Acton of Branson, Mo., with trainer Curtis Carey in the bike, and Proud Lillian came alongside and finished a close third with trainer-driver Gary Liles aboard.

Night At The Beach, timed in 2.05, posted her fifth consecutive win with Brandon Simpson at the controls.

The Iowa-sired daughter of Baler is owned by Heddy A. Nelson of Britt, Iowa and is trained by William Nelson. Ukalala and Scott Smith got to the wire one second later, and finished second in the $5625 race for owner and trainer Michael Smith of Ely, Iowa.

Hinshaw Stable's Marty Brimmer continued to ride a wave of success with the Armbro Marcus filly Whatfloatsyourboat, who won her third race in a row this past Saturday, and left Dale "Doc" Hein's Sandy Becc to finish second place, and driver Aaron Mitchell’s Verlene Yoder finished third, in the $6000 race.

By Indian Sunset and out of the Albatross mare Bunting Hanover, Hannah's Sunset was her winning self in race number four, and won for the eighth time in nine starts, this time in 2.02.2, which was speediest pace of the afternoon, with trainer Nick Roland aboard.

Roland co-owns her with Lesa Roland of Grinnell, Iowa. Hannah's Sunset has earned more than $40,000, lifetime.

After pursuing Beach Nut Brand to the record breaking time of 2.00.1 at Sioux Center, Iowa two weeks ago, Doc Hein's Sand Chaser colt Sandy Mike cut to the chase in a $6000 race, and recorded his second lifetime win, this one in 2.05.2, with Brandon Simpson up.

Hein bred and trains the colt, who is out of Rehersal, she by Arndon.

Trainer Bob Lems of Canton, S.D. put Khaki's Feather into victory lane, in 2.02.3, in what was the third win in seven starts for the pacer who is owned by Lems’ nephew, Cory J. Lems.

Cory's brother, Chris, has campaigned the Armbro Khaki gelding at the Iowa fairs this summer, but has now travelled to study and work at State University of New York Equine Institute in Morrisville, N.Y. Driver Scott Smith finished second in the race with Mister Streak, owned by Michael Smith.

While "laughing all the way" is usually associated with to "dashing through the snow, in a one-horse open sleigh," Humboldt County horseman Mark Mintun appeared to be having too much fun while he piloted Holy Mackeral to victory in this past Saturday's $6,000 seventh race.

Mintun had almost scratched the gelding, who is owned by his mother, Virginia Mintun of Thor, Iowa,, because the horse had sustained a minor injury earlier in the week.

Among the field of seven Iowa-registered colts was the trotting phenomenon Beach Nut Brand, who finished in fifth place.

Brooklyn Bradly and driver Nick Roland finished second, and Off My Rocker, with Rick Huffman driving, finished third, just ahead of Freeman Miller, steered by Aaron Mitchell.

Three sophomore pacers fought to finish second behind driver Scott Smith and RD Kak in their 2.03 win, and Whata Spartan, Indian Legacy, and Pavin Ice Cold finished second, third, and fourth, all within one-half length of each other.

The "Golden girls" Foxy Jazz, Trou Inspiration and Fox River Sally crossed the wire in close succession, and left five trotting mares in their wake.

Reined by John Reese, the 11-Year-Old Foxy Jazz delighted her owner, Paul Weinrich of Otisville, N.Y., with a win timed in 2.04, her best time in two fair wins this year, and the fastest mile of the day at Humboldt.

Driver Dan Roland's Trou Inspiration and driver Brandon Jenson's Fox River Sally finished second and third, respectively.

With $334,103 won, the Hap Bob Bobby mare Foxy Jazz, who is out of Midnight Music, she by Jazz Cosmos, is trained by Michael Conte of Yorktown, Iowa. Conte and his wife, Gail, bred Foxy Jazz.

Roger Sturtz's Message To Marv came home on top of a field of seven fine trotters.

The victory came on "Marv's" home track, in 2.04.1, in rein to his trainer, Adam Hauser, in a $3,111 race.

Two sons of the Iowa sire Lucky Twenty Five, Homestead Sleeper and Lucky Chuck, finished second and third, respectively.

Zippy Star raced for owner and trainer Gary Hafner, and the pair posted the fastest trotting time of the day, a 2:034 mile, in a $3111 race.

Fields of 2-Year-Old trotters and pacers will be featured at Humboldt, Iowa this coming Saturday, August 27. Post time will be 1.00 pm (EDT).

The Humboldt Independent and "The Bolt," KHBT Radio, are sponsors of Humboldt County harness racing.

For complete results and standings, visit www.iowaracing.freeserverscom.

Courtesy Of Mary Lou Lawless for Iowa Harness Racing