Cainam, Ice Hockey vie for supremacy in Cyclones Handicap

ALTOONA, Iowa – Cainam and Ice Hockey, a pair of veteran geldings responsible for victories in the last three renewals of the race, return to contest Saturday night’s $75,000 Cyclones Handicap, a 1 1/16-mile event for Iowa-breds.

Cainam, victorious in 2011 and 2012 when trained by Lynn Chleborad, is now conditioned by Jon Arnett, who managed to get the late-rallying 7-year-old a win in the $95,200 Ralph Hayes last Aug. 3. Arnett, who is off to an excellent 17-for-53 start at the meet, should have Cainam primed for a top effort in his fourth start of the meet. Terry Thompson will get the return call on Cainam.

Defending race winner Ice Hockey, a 7-year-old who has made all 19 career starts around this oval, missed by a half-length when second in Cainam’s Ralph Hayes win and looks to turn the tables on a familiar foe. Trained by Chris Richard for owner Maggi Moss, who is tied with Danny Caldwell atop the owners’ standings with 16 wins apiece, Ice Hockey has chased evenly in a pair of sprints recently, ensuring his fitness. Ken Tohill, who got a game response from Ice Hockey in the 2013 Ralph Hayes, has been engaged to ride him for the third time.

Oh My Gravy and Wolf Pack Jack, a pair of 4-year-old geldings, head the opposition and seek to represent their generation of Iowa-breds with aplomb. Oh My Gravy enjoyed an excellent 2013 campaign, including three local wins and a neck second to Wolf Pack Jack in the $94,200 Iowa Breeders’ Derby last Aug. 3. Trainer Kelly Von Hemel should get a peak effort from Oh My Gravy on Saturday since he has a pair of 2014 starts under his belt, and the Cyclones looks to be the target.

Wolf Pack Jack, the current star of the Tracy family’s Black Oak Farm, could control the pace under David Mello. He missed by a nose to Patty’s Key in the $77,775 John Wayne on May 10, ending a three-race win streak.

Zeki, a stablemate of Cainam’s intended to ensure an honest pace; Flashy Em, an improving Richard trainee; Edgy Memorie; and Freeze Your Kela, claimed by owner Tom Allen and trainer Dick Clark for $25,000 on Sunday, also will line up in pursuit of an upset.

The live action Saturday starts at 5 p.m. Central to accommodate the Belmont Stakes simulcast, and the Cyclones has a scheduled post time of 8:57.