Ain't Life Grand staying at Prairie Meadows for Iowa Breeders' Derby

Ain’t Life Grand is being pointed for the $100,000 Iowa Breeders’ Derby next month at Prairie Meadows, trainer Kelly Von Hemel said Tuesday.

The 1 1/16-mile race is part of the Iowa Classic card Oct. 1. The program features seven stakes for Iowa-breds, with each worth $100,000.

Ain’t Life Grand defeated open company in the $300,000 Iowa Derby in July at Prairie Meadows and the win earned him a shot at Grade 1 rivals in the Travers last month at Saratoga. He was part of the pace in the "Mid-Summer Derby" and finished seventh, while earning a strong Beyer Speed Figure of 96.

“He came back really good,” Von Hemel said. “He’s at Prairie Meadows right now, doing good.”

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Von Hemel said to cover his bases he’s nominated Ain’t Life Grand to the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby that runs Sept. 25 at Remington Park. But the trainer said the Iowa Breeders’ Derby is the intended plan for the fact that it’s a home race for Ain’t Life Grand and his breeders and owners, R P M Thoroughbreds.

Ain’t Life Grand has been based this meet at Prairie Meadows, where he also won the Iowa Stallion Stakes in July. Overall, he’s registered four stakes wins at the Iowa track.

Von Hemel is having an outstanding meet with the barn’s Iowa-breds, led by Ain’t Life Grand. He has a total of 10 horses pointing for Iowa Classic stakes races, which are being held on what is closing weekend at Prairie Meadows.