Busy Weekend for Bettors at Prairie Meadows
by Patricia Woo | Jun 21 2010
An exciting weekend of betting awaits horse racing fans at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, Iowa. On Friday, June 25, and Saturday, June 26, six races will be run, including the 14th running of the
$300,000 Gr. 2 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap. Read all about the Iowa Festival of Racing here.
$100,000 Saylorville Stakes - F&M 3 years old and up, 6 furlongs
Two of the biggest names nominated in this race are Dubai Majesty and Mindy Queen. Five-year-old Dubai Majesty is trained by Bret Calhoun for Martin Racing Stable and is coming off a strong 4 ½ length win in the $100,000 Gr. 3 Winning Colors Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 31. She has earned $181,824 in five races this year. Mindy Queen is a 4-year-old daughter of Indy King who has already registered a win at Prairie Meadows this year, the $60,000 Prairie Rose Stakes on May 22. Another nominee to watch: No Flies On Doodle, who has won two straight at Emerald Downs this year.
$125,000 Iowa Sprint Handicap - 3-year-olds and up, 6 furlongs
Defending champion Ez Dreamer will be on hand to take on a slew of fresh challengers like Riley Tucker in one of the deepest fields of the festival. Trained by R. Kory Owens, Ez Dreamer is a son of In Excess and is coming off a close runner-up finish in the $60,000 Prairie Express Stakes on May 22; Riley Tucker is coming off a win in the $100,000 Gr. 2 Aristides Stakes on May 29 and is trained by Steve Asmussen.
$100,000 Iowa Distaff Stakes - F&M 3 years old and up, 1 1/16 miles
2010 champion Euphony has again been nominated for this event. Trained by Donnie K. Von Hemel, the 5-year-old will be looking to regain her winning form; after a banner year in 2009, she has yet to win a race in 2010 after four starts. Others to watch: the Asmussen-trained Hightap and the Wild Rose Stakes-winning Choragus.
$300,000 Gr. 2 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap - 3-year-olds and up, 1 1/8 miles
Venerable 9-year-old Brass Hat will be looking for another title to add to his considerable resume when he takes on the field in the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap. 2010 Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Calvin Borel gets the call aboard the seasoned champion. Golden Yank, Slew's Tizzy, Mythical Power and Read Lead are also among the expected starters.
$200,000 Gr. 3 Iowa Oaks - 3-year-old fillies, 1 1/16 miles
Keep an eye on David Vance's Tap Tap Tapping, who last out came in second in the $100,000 Gr. 3 Dogwood Stakes at Churchill Downs on May 29. She will be looking to improve her placement in the Iowa Oaks on Saturday.
$250,000 Gr. 3 Iowa Derby - 3-year-olds, 1 1/16 miles
Some of the biggest names from this year's crop of 3-year-olds are turning up in the Iowa Derby. The Eoin Harty-trained American Lion, who won the $500,000 Gr. 3 Illinois Derby before coming in 11th in the Kentucky Derby, is expected to start. Talented 3-year-olds Winslow Homer and Pleasant Prince are also possible, along with up-and-comers Forestry Type, Thiskyhasnolimit and Down With Dixie.
Don't miss out on the Iowa Festival of Racing!
Bet on horse racing with the Bodog Racebook!
