Cornhusker next up for Ain't Life Grand

Ain’t Life Grand is being pointed for next month’s Grade 3, $300,000 Cornhusker Handicap after dominating the local prep Saturday at Prairie Meadows.

He closed from next to last for a 6 1/4-length victory in the $60,000 Jim and Sandra Rasmussen Stakes. For the effort, Ain't Life Grand earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 100.

“We loved the way he ran,” said trainer Kelly Von Hemel. “And the race set up really well.

“We’ll get ready for the Cornhusker here. It’s kind of the reason we stuck around here, did the prep here - tried to get ready for the Cornhusker.”

Ain’t Life Grand was winning his second straight stakes as an older horse in the Rasmussen, following the $150,000 Lake Ouachita on May 5 at Oaklawn Park. The 4-year-old also won that race with a Beyer of 100 and was flattered when runner-up Frosted Grace came back to win the Grade 3, $400,000 Steve Sexton Mile at Lone Star Park.

Frosted Grace also is being pointed for the July 8 Cornhusker, trainer Robertino Diodoro said in late May.

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Ain’t Life Grand won the biggest race for 3-year-olds last year at Prairie Meadows, when he captured the $300,000 Iowa Derby.

“We think he’s definitely matured some, definitely gotten a little bigger, filled out a little more,” said Von Hemel. “He’s matured into a better horse.”

Ain’t Life Grand has now won 8 of 13 starts and earned $625,724 for his breeders and owners, RPM Thoroughbreds.

* Jockey Cindy Murphy is nearing a milestone of 2,000 career Thoroughbred riding wins in North America. She was at 1,998 on Wednesday, according to statistics from Daily Racing Form.

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