Net Gain wants pace to chase in Branstad

Pace, please.

That’s what trainer Clinton Stuart wants for Net Gain on Monday, when the horse starts as the probable favorite in the $100,000 Gov. Terry E. Branstad at Prairie Meadows.

The Branstad, for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles, is one of seven Iowa-bred stakes on the card. The races are worth a total of $685,000.

Net Gain has won two of his three starts at the current meet, including the $65,000 Cyclones Handicap for the second time in his career on July 6. He is part of an eight-horse field that includes One Fine Dream, a two-time winner of the Branstad, and speed horses Tin Badge and Molleck. Net Gain will break from the rail, under regular rider Ken Tohill.

“He comes from way back,” Stuart said. “He needs some pace to set it up for him, and he’s been getting it here lately.”

Net Gain will be looking for the fifth stakes win of his career. Other victories for him include the Iowa Breeders’ Derby at Prairie and the Unbridled at Louisiana Downs. He will be returning to the statebred ranks following a fourth-place finish in an optional-claiming race at a mile that Popularity won over Remembering Rita on Aug. 1 at Prairie.

“It was a tough race,” Stuart said. “The horse that won came back and ran second in the Governor’s Cup at Remington, and the horse that ran second won the Cornhusker last year. And then, Smack Smack beat us a nose for third.”

Net Gain, a 7-year-old gelding by Include who races for Claim To Fame Stable, will go over $500,000 in career earnings with a first or second.

The chief threat appears to be One Fine Dream, who could get an ideal stalking trip behind the speed. He, too, is returning to the Iowa-bred ranks following a start against open company, his a runner-up effort in an optional $30,000 claiming route Aug. 10 at Prairie Meadows. Before that race, One Fine Dream was second in the Cyclones, finishing a length behind Net Gain.

One Fine Dream, who is looking for his ninth career stakes victory, will break from post 6 under Ramon Vazquez. Kenny Von Hemel trains the 6-year-old son of Woke Up Dreamin.

Undefeated filly in Sorority

Flat Out Speed is the one to beat in the $92,375 Iowa Sorority, a six-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies. She will be moving into Iowa-bred company for the first time after winning both of her starts at Prairie, including the $79,000 Prairie Gold Lassie. Alex Canchari was aboard and again has the mount for Poindexter Thoroughbreds and trainer Lynn Chleborad. In the companion race for colts and geldings, the $92,375 Iowa Cradle, Chleborad sends out a pair of promising first-time starters in Fleetwood Shac and Ideology.

◗ Kauai will be looking for his second straight two-turn stakes win at the meet in the $102,500 Iowa Breeders’ Derby. Vazquez has the mount for Poindexter Thoroughbreds and Chleborad. In the $102,500 Iowa Breeders’ Oaks, Run With the Brave is back with statebreds and straight 3-year-olds after catching a win machine last out in Heavens Whisper.

◗ Mywomanfromtokyo is bidding for her fourth straight win – and third stakes victory of the meet – in the $100,000 Donna Reed. Basic Chance will be looking for his fourth straight win when he breaks from the rail in the $85,000 Dan Johnson Sprint.