Cainam looks ready to make charge in Ralph Hayes Stakes
ALTOONA, Iowa – Saturday night’s Iowa Classic program, comprised of seven stakes worth almost $600,000 combined, is the meet-ending target of every Iowa-bred.
Headlined by the Donna Reed and the Ralph Hayes, a pair of $85,000-added events for older horses contested over 1 1/16 miles, the Iowa Classic provides local stars with an opportunity to cap off their seasons before taking vacations or facing open company.
Cainam, a 7-year-old gelding who won the 2010 Iowa Breeders’ Derby and the 2011 and 2013 editions of the Ralph Hayes, is back and primed to make his usual late charge. Although he is 0 for 4 this season, the Jon Arnett-trained Cainam saves his best for this occasion, and a July 20 six-furlong breeze in 1:13 signaled his readiness.
Queen Lilly Kay, a versatile 5-year-old mare conditioned by Kelly Von Hemel, heads the Donna Reed’s field of nine fillies and mares, and she aims to boost her 2014 mark to 4 for 5.
The Iowa Classic races, part of a 10-race card that starts at 6:30 p.m. Central, get underway at 7:51.
Iowa Cradle (Race 4)
KEY CONTENDERS
Kid Brock (Last Beyer: 51)
** Made a favorable impression with a bold closing bid in his July 6 debut. This 2-year-old Summer Bird colt represents the high-percentage team of owner Maggi Moss, trainer Chris Richard, and leading rider David Mello.
Caribbean Cowboy (Last 2 Beyers: 54-53)
** The probable favorite is untested and blitzed 11 rivals when taking the Iowa Stallion Futurity on July 6. Trainer Von Hemel, who usually shines on Iowa Classic night, and the track’s all-time leading jockey, Glenn Corbett, lead the way for this talented Petionville colt.
Iowa Classic Sprint (Race 5)
KEY CONTENDER
You Funny Man (Last 3 Beyers: 79-80-63)
** Defending champ looked back to his best when closing stoutly to best many of these July 4. Potentially demanding pace attended by Wolf Pack Jack, Shock Hazard, and Scat ’n Go expected to tee up the Richard-trained 5-year-old gelding.
Iowa Sorority (Race 6)
KEY CONTENDER
M B Prize (Last 2 Beyers: 24-58)
** Arnett-trained 2-year-old Pure Prize filly must rebound from a tailed-off effort against the talented Strawberry Baby and six others when last July 19 in the Prairie Gold Lassie. Handled tonight’s chief rival, Brock’sspringfling, in her debut.
Iowa Breeders’ Oaks (Race 7)
KEY CONTENDERS
Corsierra (Last 3 Beyers: 63-46-8)
** Ray Tracy-trained 3-year-old filly is part of a strong Lloyd DeBruycker-owned entry along with Seely Rose and has looked sharp in her last two outings.
Haforuhaforme (Last 3 Beyers: 58-45-15)
** Canterbury-based Valorie Lund trainee won last year’s Sorority and rallied from far back for a near miss July 6 in the Iowa Stallion Stakes.
Golden Tiago (Last 3 Beyers: 71-41-49)
** Career-best effort in July 19 sprint puts this Von Hemel-trained filly in the mix. Her consistency stands her in good stead in this company.
Iowa Breeders’ Derby (Race 8)
KEY CONTENDER
Whisper to Curlin (Last 3 Beyers: 66-53-61)
** Well-regarded 3-year-old colt hails from Von Hemel’s stable, and his 5 3/4-length win over Derby rivals Ooey Gooey and Excessive should make him a strong favorite.
Donna Reed (Race 9)
KEY CONTENDERS
** Rallydownthealley (Last 3 Beyers: 69-68-66)
** Like her entrymate, Nevaehs Rae, this filly rides a local three-race win streak into her return to stakes competition for the high-percentage trio of leading owner Danny R. Caldwell, trainer Federico Villafranco, and jockey Ramon Vazquez.
Jokes N Jazz (Last 3 Beyers: 58-57-55)
** Defending champ, who also won the 2012 Iowa Breeders’ Oaks, must rebound from subpar efforts but saves her best for this occasion.
Jumped the Harbor (Last 3 Beyers: 69-68-54)
** Could pose the chief threat to Queen Lilly Kay with her ability to seize command and control the pace. Looked good when finishing a one-mile open gallop with three furlongs in 36.82 seconds Tuesday.
Ralph Hayes (Race 10)
KEY CONTENDERS
Zeki (Last 3 Beyers: 71-67-85)
** Arnett-trained stablemate of the accomplished Cainam is very tough if able to dominate from the front end. The 4-year-old gelding has won 4 of 5 starts this meet, with his lone loss coming June 26 to tonight’s foe, Freeze Your Kela.
Oh My Gravy (Last 3 Beyers: 70-68-63)
** Gradually improving Von Hemel-trained 4-year-old gelding peaked last year with a rallying second in the Iowa Breeders’ Derby behind Classic Sprint contender Wolf Pack Jack. Could get first run on Cainam in the stretch.