Makoshika well spotted in Gray's Lake Stakes

ALTOONA, Iowa – Makoshika, hailing from the Ray Tracy stable renowned for its quick Iowa-breds, heads a field of seven 3-year-old geldings gunning for the top prize in Saturday’s $60,000 Gray’s Lake Stakes at Prairie Meadows.

Makoshika, who splashed his way to a resounding 6 1/4-length allowance win through the Prairie Meadows slop April 27, is set for a return to Iowa-bred stakes competition. Tracy, whose Black Oak Farm bred and owns Makoshika, also sends out the homebred Rocky Boy, who should fuel a solid pace. Makoshika, under regular pilot Alex Birzer, has the ability to stalk and pounce, which could prove a valuable asset in this company.

The opposition to Tracy’s pair is headed by the speedy Shock Hazard, who showed improved form when leading all the way for a 1 1/2-length maiden tally over 5 1/2 furlongs last month. Jockey Ken Tohill, off to a good 21-for-87 start to the meet, retains the mount for Jon Arnett and will try to nurse Shock Hazard’s speed for six furlongs.

Porme Nuther T R, a lightly raced maiden, closed ground nicely in Shock Hazard’s win, and improvement will put him in the mix for Doug Anderson’s stable. Porme Nuther T R worked a sharp half-mile in 48.20 seconds Sunday, signaling his readiness.

The capable pair of Magic and More and Silent Rumor need to rebound from subpar sloppy-track efforts in their 2014 debuts. Magic and More, like Makoshika, chased home the talented Boji Moon when third in last August’s Iowa Cradle, and Silent Rumor beat solid opposition by four lengths last August.

Mystified Money, well beaten in a pair of Churchill Downs maiden races last fall, has moved into Ben Delong’s stable and gets his first taste of Iowa-bred racing. He has flashed potential in his three breezes over the track, including a strong 47.40-second four-furlong move April 26.

The Gray’s Lake, the feature on a nine-race card that starts at 4:45 p.m. Central to accommodate the Preakness simulcast, will be run at 8:32 p.m.