Humble Destin outfinishes Ez Dreamer at Prairie

ALTOONA, Iowa - Trainer Brett Creighton's gamble paid off when Humble Destin outfinished six rivals to win the $60,000 Prairie Express, a six-furlong race for 3-year-olds and upward.

"He's been doing everything right, I figured that I'd take a shot," said Creighton.

Humble Destin broke sharply under jockey Alex Birzer and chased on the outside of leader Ez Dreamer through fractions of 22.39, 45.06, and 56.69 seconds. Birzer vigorously drove down the center of the track, getting on even terms with Ez Dreamer just outside the final sixteenth. Birzer switched to a left-handed stick inside the final sixteenth to get his mount a neck in front at the wire.

Humble Destin finished the six furlongs in 1:08.94, establishing a new stakes record.

Owned by trainer Brett Creighton and James Danaher, Humble Destin was sent off as the fourth choice in the seven-horse field and returned $13.20, which helped produce a carryover of the late pick four for Monday's card.

Mindy Queen tough on front end

Mindy Queen wired four rivals to win the night's other stakes, the $60,000 Prairie Rose for older fillies and mares.

"When she has a little advantage, if they're not right on her hip, she is real tough to pass." said trainer Joel Berndt.

Mindy Queen was indeed tough to pass.

She quickly took control of the pace, and led the field of five through fractions of

22.50, 45.57, and 57.31. Nicks, whom was went off as the favorite following the morning scratch of Palanka City, stalked a length behind the leader. At the far turn, jockey Tanner Riggs quickened his mount and increased his lead to a length by the top of the stretch.

She maintained the lead through the stretch under steady urging to score by 1 lengths while covering the six furlongs in 1:09.37. Nicks, the Christine Janks trainee, finished second, 5 1/4 lengths clear of Kiddari. Mindy Queen returned $7.40 for the win.

Trainer Joel Berndt said he did not have immediate plans for Mindy Queen, but indicated that she will be sprinting, saying "I tried to make a route horse out of her, and she could, going against 3 year olds, but she's a pure sprinter."

Mindy Queen is owned by Alton Ison and Majel E. Ison.