Euchre upsets Dixie Dot Com in Cornhusker

ALTOONA, Iowa - Euchre saved ground to the stretch under Garrett Gomez and rallied for a 1 3/4-length victory over pacesetter and 4-5 favorite Dixie Dot Com in the Grade 3 $400,000 Cornhusker Breeders' Cup Handicap at Prairie Meadows on Saturday night.

Euchre dueled for the lead inside of Dixie Dot Com around the first turn before settling into a stalking position on the backstretch, as Sure Shot Biscuit moved up to engage Dixie Dot Com through a half-mile run in 46.36 seconds. Gomez moved Euchre between that pair approaching the stretch, headed Dixie Dot Com in midstretch and then drew clear late under strong handling while covering the 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.72. "I had a perfect trip," said Gomez.

"I thought David's horse [Dixie Dot Com] might kick away entering the lane because my horse doesn't have a huge turn of foot but he didn't and I felt like I had him a furlong out."

Flores made no excuses for the Dixie Dot Com. "He was nice and relaxed on the lead, he ran his race. We just got beat."

The victory was Euchre's six in 16 career starts and his second straight Grade 3 win following a victory in the All American Handicap at Bay Meadows on May 28. He also captured last year's Grade 2 Bel Air Handicap at Hollywood Park, which also was held Saturday. Bobby Frankel trains Euchre for the Stronach Stables. The $240,000 winner's share of the Cornhusker purse sent his career earnings to $691,545. Local favorite and two-time defending Iowa-bred horse of the year Sure Shot Biscuit ran gallantly in defeat racing three wide throughout and holding third while tiring to finish 10 3/4 behind Dixie Dot Com. Euchre returned $8.80 at the third choice in the seven-horse field. The exacta returned $22.40 and the trifecta paid $97.00.