Chleborad has fingerprints all over Iowa Classics card

Lynn Chleborad has been invested in the Iowa racing program since she started coming to Prairie Meadows in the 1990s, and on Saturday night, horses she either bred, owns, or trains will be participating in most of the seven stakes making up the annual Iowa Classics.

“It’s a showcase of the best Iowa-breds,” said Chleborad.

The Classics close out the meet at Prairie Meadows. First post for the 13-race card is 4 p.m. Central.

Chleborad, who has won two training titles at Prairie Meadows, will have 10 horses running in four of the stakes Saturday. The first of the stakes is the $92,500 Iowa Cradle (race 7), in which Chleborad sends out Pepe’ Longstocking and Kauai.

Pepe’ Longstocking is one of the most interesting runners on the card. He was a 17 1/4-length maiden special weight winner in his most recent start July 29 at Prairie Meadows. He also stands about 17 hands tall and would seem to have a promising future for owner Prairie Gold Diggers.

“Seventeen is my favorite number,” quipped Chleborad.

Pepe’ Longstocking came into the maiden race off a runner-up finish in a division of the Iowa Stallion Futurity, beaten a neck by Substitution, who also returns in the Cradle. The stakes and the maiden race were over 5 1/2 furlongs, and Pepe’ Longstocking will move to six furlongs Saturday.

“I put him back quick in the maiden race, and it was actually like a workout for him,” Chleborad said.

“When we got him, he was a really, really big colt, probably close to 17 hands. I really liked the horse, and I think the longer he goes, the better he’ll get.”

Pepe’ Longstocking is a son of Woke Up Dreamin and is from the female family of both Five Star Day, a multiple Grade 3 winner who earned $575,365, and Marquetry, a multiple Grade 1 winner who made $2.3 million. Alex Birzer has the mount from post 3.

Kauai was a two-length winner of a maiden special weight in his career debut July 13 at Prairie Meadows.

“I expect him to run a nice race also,” said Chleborad, who trains the son of Girolamo for Poindexter Thoroughbreds.

Chleborad will have three starters in the eighth race, the $103,150 Iowa Breeders’ Oaks at one mile and 70 yards.

“I think all of them will make their presence known,” Chleborad said. “Tracy Racy likes to run real close to the front, Fire to Rain comes from way back, and Glitzy Lady sits in the middle of the pack and runs through them. You’ve got one in each kind of category.”

Chleborad will also have three starters in the $100,000 Donna Reed, at one mile and 70 yards for fillies and mares: Bossy Em, Zella Rose, and Holdthatlove.

Zella Rose was a $10,000 claim last out July 26, when she won a six-furlong race by 11 1/2 lengths.

“It was a six-way shake, and I got her,” Chleborad said. “I was the breeder on Zella Rose. I hadn’t had her for over a year. I hadn’t had her for a long time. She’s a hard-trying mare. We’ll just see what happens with her.

“She hadn’t seen us in over a year, and she remembered us. She knew where she was.”

Chleborad has another homebred on the card in No Holds Barred, who goes in the $100,000 Gov. Terry E. Branstad, a 1 1/16-mile race for 4-year-olds and up. Chleborad also will start High Above for a partnership that includes Poindexter Thoroughbreds.

No Holds Barred was an allowance winner at two turns July 22 at Prairie Meadows.

“He’s a horse that’s overcome a lot of adversity in his life,” Chleborad said. “But he tries. He’s run five times this year and had three wins. He’s just a hard trier.

“I raised him from a baby. He’s been a real joy for me to have.”

Chleborad said No Holds Barred has overcome a suspensory injury, a cyst in his throat, and a displaced palate.

“He’s spoiled,” she said. “He’s a beautiful horse. The barn calls him The Black Eagle.”

High Above comes from off the pace, as opposed to the front-running tactics used by No Holds Barred.

“I look for High Above to run a really good race,” said Chleborad. “It looks like there’s a lot of speed in the race, and he comes running at the end.

“We’re adding blinkers, and we’ve got a good rider in C.J. McMahon. I look for him to run a really good race.”

◗ Itsallaboutyou should start as a solid favorite in the $85,000 Dan Johnson Sprint.

◗ A field of six is signed on for the $103,150 Iowa Breeders’ Derby, led by Tin Badge, an 11 3/4-length winner of a recent division of the Iowa Stallion Stakes.

◗ Trainer Kelly Von Hemel sends out the capable pair of Stella Marie and Bye Love Gotta Go in the $92,500 Iowa Sorority.