Meadow Magic ready for next step

Meadow Magic showed he is ready to win a stakes when he rallied for a length victory in an allowance race at Pinnacle Race Course two weeks ago.

Saturday, he will face 10 challengers, including two stablemates, in the $50,000 Lansing, the first stakes of Pinnacle's third season. Run at six furlongs, the Lansing is for 3-year-old Michigan-bred colts and geldings.

Meadow Magic, trained by James Jackson, was fourth in three local stakes last year and was beaten by many of his Saturday rivals. Based on his 2010 debut victory, Meadow Magic may be a better horse this year.

Tommy Molina rides Meadow Magic, who drew the rail.

Jackson will also saddle Hour by Hour and Dream Victory. Hour by Hour won his division of the Michigan Sire Stakes last year before a 30-length loss in the Michigan Futurity.

Dream Victory, who finished third in the Michigan Futurity as a maiden last year, scored his first win at Mountaineer Park in March but has lost his last two in allowance company there.

Secrets Only, from the barn of leading trainer Bob Gorham, won his maiden in his career debut in April at Thistledown. He was second in Meadow Magic's June 13 allowance win.

Arts and Leisure has the best Beyer Figure of the field, a 74, but it came in a $7,500 claiming event at Presque Isle Downs. Trained by Gerald Bennett, Arts and Leisure has won three of his five starts.