Maya's Storm gets tested around two turns

ALTOONA, Iowa - Saturday's card at Prairie Meadows includes two stakes for 3-year-olds, the final local preps for the Iowa Derby and Grade 3 Iowa Oaks later this month.

The $50,000 Prairie Mile (race 8) has attracted a solid field of six, five of whom are coming off a win in their most recent start. Maya's Storm, the lone Iowa-bred in the field, is expected to be the choice in a highly competitive race.

Maya's Storm has been pointed to this race since he captured the six-furlong Golden Circle in late April. His trainer, Kelly Von Hemel, wants to give Maya's Storm a race around two turns before the Iowa Derby on June 27. Richard Monterrey, who rode Maya's Storm in all five of his races as a 2-year-old, will be reunited with the colt on Saturday.

Repenting, who seeks his fifth straight win, appears to be the main danger. After being claimed out of his maiden score at Tampa Bay Downs, he has rewarded his new connections with three straight wins, including the Tall Ships Stakes over the Tapeta at Presque Isle Downs last time out.

The lightly raced Atta Boy Roy, 2 for 3 lifetime, is expected to be the one to catch after winning his last two starts wire to wire by a combined 23 lengths.

Rasierra makes her first start since finishing eighth in the Grade 1 Kentucky Oaks when she faces seven other 3-year-old fillies in the $50,000 Panthers Stakes (race 9).

After encountering traffic trouble in the first turn of the Kentucky Oaks, Rasierra tired, and she should appreciate the cut back in distance from 1 1/8 miles to a mile. Shane Laviolette has the call for trainer Ray Tracy on Rasierra, the runner-up in last year's Grade 3 Arlington-Washington Lassie.

Timely Reflection, who comes off a win in the Richland Stakes at Lone Star Park, appears to be Rasierra's chief challenger. In a race where there appears to be multiple speed horses, Timely Reflection should be able to get a ground-saving trip from her inside draw and will look to run them down in the stretch. Terry Thompson will ride Timely Reflection for the first time.