At 10, Chindi's tank has yet to hit empty

ALTOONA, Iowa - Chindi, a longtime fan favorite at tracks throughout the Midwest, heads a field of nine, including two entries, in Saturday's $50,000, six-furlong Prairie Meadows Sprint.

Chindi, a 10-year-old gray gelding whose coat has turned nearly white as he has aged, is looking for his first win since last June's $125,000 Iowa Sprint Handicap here. Chindi has remained in good form, however, having finished on the board in all six of his starts this season, recording two seconds and four thirds for trainer Steve Hobby.

A winner of 17 of his 74 career starts and more than $960,000, Chindi is known for his strong stretch kick and figures to get a lively early pace to run at in the Sprint. Most recently, Chindi finished third, beaten five lengths, in the Better Bee Stakes run over a sloppy track at Arlington on July 3.

Tim Doocy, who has ridden Chindi throughout most of his career, will be reunited with him after a two-race absence.

Tricky Mocha, upset winner of the $75,000 Prairie Meadows Handicap here last Saturday for the meet's leading trainer, Dick Clark, has been entered back in the Sprint. Tricky Mocha led throughout the 1 1/8-mile Handicap and scored a two-length victory. His 7-1 odds would have been much higher if he weren't coupled with Northwest Hill, seemingly the stronger half of the entry.

If Tricky Mocha, an 8-year-old-gelding, starts it will be his fourth race in 32 days and his first try sprinting since he scored a two-length win against $25,000 claiming company here on April 24. Glenn Corbett has the mount on Tricky Mocha, the 122-pound highweight.

The Stanley Roberts-trained entry of Pie's Lil Brother and Honor Me figures to attract plenty of mutuel support. Both are stakes winners. Honor Me should be part of the early pace under Tad Leggett while Pie's Lil Brother will be making a late run with jockey Alex Birzer.