Done Deal rewards connections' patience in Iowa Sprint

Patience was required to get this deal done.

Done Deal sharply won a first-level allowance race on Sept. 17, 2016 at Churchill Downs. Something went amiss but Done Deal got back on the work tab the next March. He also worked in April, May, June, July, and August before the plug was pulled without the horse making a start. Finally, Done Deal made his comeback this past May 18. He won again, and once again trainer Ian Wilkes took his time.

Done Deal finally ran back Thursday night at Prairie Meadows making his stakes debut in the $100,000 Iowa Sprint. Traveling smoothly under Chris Landeros he pressed Eurobond’s quick splits of 22.04 and 44.77 – and then closed the deal. Dashing away from the pacesetter, Done Deal cruised under the wire four lengths in front of his nearest pursuer. He stopped the timer in 1:09.04 for six furlongs on a fast track, paid $12.20 to win, and rewarded all the time trainer Ian Wilkes and owner-breeder Sierra Farm put in trying to bring out the best in their horse.

“It’s always nice when you have that kind of horse up under you,” Landeros said.

Nine-year-old Apprehender placed in the Iowa Sprint for the second year in a row, battling on gamely to win a photo over 3-2 favorite Wilbo. Wilbo was left in third following an inquiry and objection by the rider of Cash Bonus alleging interference into the far turn. Wilbo also broke out several paths at the start and never was moving like a winner.

As for Done Deal, Wilkes said this past week that the 5-year-old gelding never had any one major issue that kept him from racing but suffered a series of nagging issues that that merely required waiting. By Macho Uno and out of Missbelle O’s Tale, by Tale of the Cat, Done Deal won for the fourth time in just seven starts, and if he can get into a steady training and racing schedule this summer he ought to have room to improve.

► Last of 10 early, Substitution was first under the wire in the $70,000 Iowa Stallion Futurity. With Robby Albarado riding for trainer Kelly Von Hemel and the Allbaugh Family Trust, Substitution got up by a neck over Pepe’ Longstocking paying $6.20 to win as the second choice. Substitution, who ran 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:04.89, is by Alternation out of Paws Up by Posse, and is now 2 for 2 with Thursday’s win following a debut victory.