Miner's Prize must catch 'em

ALTOONA, Iowa - Miner's Prize, fresh off a victory in the Bosselman-Gus Fonner Handicap at Fonner Park, is the 120-pound highweight in Saturday's $100,000 Precisionist Handicap at Prairie Meadows.

The Precisionist serves as a prep for Prairie Meadows's premier race, the Grade 3, $300,000 Cornhusker Handicap on July 6.

Miner's Prize, a 5-year-old son of Miner's Mark, has won three of his five starts this year. Trained by Forrest Kaelin, he captured two allowance races at Fair Grounds this winter prior to his win at Fonner last out. Regular rider Gerard Melancon will be in from Louisiana for the mount.

Overall, Miner's Prize has a record of 8-5-7 from 42 career starts, and he is the leading money earner in the field with a bankroll of more than $391,000.

Despite the accomplishments of Miner's Prize, the Precisionist may be a good spot for an upset. Miner's Prize does his best running from well off the pace and there is not much early speed in the 1 1/16-mile race to set up his late move.

McMahon, who comes off a fifth-place finish in the National Jockey Club Handicap at Sportman's Park, could be primed to steal the Precisionist. In his prior start, McMahon led throughout to score a neck victory in the $100,000 Sportsman's Park Breeders' Cup Handicap at a mile. Ken Shino has the call for trainer and co-owner Michele Boyce. McMahon starts at 114 pounds.

E Z Glory is another contender in the seven-horse field. He finished a distant second to Hail the Chief in the National Jockey Club Handicap in his most recent start. The meet's leading rider, Terry Thompson, has picked up the mount on E Z Glory for trainer Carl Bowman. E Z Glory will carry 115 pounds.