Minnie Vinnie returns for Iowa Sires Stakes
PHOTO: Minnie Vinnie with winning connections in the winners circle at What Cheer
by: Iowa Harness Horse Association
What Cheer, IA (June 30, 2018) – Following his impressive second place finish in the Art Rooney at the end of May, Minnie Vinnie returned to Iowa for the first Iowa Sires Stakes meet of 2018. As in the Art Rooney, Minnie Vinnie drew the rail. Though there is no parimutual wagering on fair races in Iowa, his odds would certainly have been higher than the 20-1 long shot he was at Yonkers.
“I thought it was the perfect race for him,” said trainer Curtis Carey of the twelfth race at What Cheer. “We didn’t want to go too much because he has to go right back in four days on the Fourth of July, so we were just trying to get a nice tightener in him.”
Minnie Vinnie arrived in the Hawkeye State this morning for the first time since his championship 2-year-old season where he won 12 of 13 races. The son of Millionaire Cam was both the Iowa-Registered and the Iowa Sires Stakes pacing champion before challenging outside company on the national stage earlier this year.
“When we got done with the Rooney, Tim(Tetrick) told me that if it was at all possible to start ducking him some, sitting for a while to get him a little more manageable,” said trainer Curtis Carey.
Minnie Vinnie was driven by Eric Delong. Eric is the son of Jay Delong, one of the geldings owners. Delong and Minnie Vinnie left the gate tucking in the two hole behind Cory Larson and Dakota Ole. On the back stretch before the quarter, Delong pulled Minnie Vinnie and took the lead. The pair never looked back.
“He was on the bit a little bit so it was nice that Eric was able to sit then move him to the front,” said Carey. “Eric drove him perfect. It couldn’t have worked out any better.”
Minnie Vinnie won in 2:01.2 on the Keokuk County fair track. Dakota Ole was second, and Fiesty Fireball was third with Scott Smith in the bike.
Owned by Jay Delong, Jeff Carey, Rick Huffman, and Larry Mather, Minnie Vinnie will race the Iowa Circuit for the next few months. He will continue to be trained by Curtis Carey in Columbus Junction, Iowa.
“He will race around here, then the end of September and October he will go to John (DeLong) at Hoosier,” said Carey. “He has three stake races over there for three weeks in a row and then he’ll be shut down for the year.”
Iowa-Registered racing begins Wednesday, July 4 at Humboldt where Minnie Vinnie continues his quest to dominate in a competitive class of 3-year-old colts.
Category: NEWS
