Patty's Key grinds out nose victory in John Wayne Stakes

ALTOONA, Iowa – Patty's Key, under a determined ride from Glenn Corbett, grinded out victory by a nose over 3-5 favorite Wolf Pack Jack in Saturday evening's $77,775 John Wayne Stakes.

Patty's Key ($20.00), a 4-year-old Sir Shackleton gelding, was forwardly placed for trainer Thad Keller and found just enough under brisk right-handed urging to nip pacesetting Wolf Pack Jack. The pair separated from the rail, rallying third-place finisher You Funny Man in the group of seven Iowa-bred geldings. Former Grade 3 winner Scherer Magic closed belatedly and ended up fourth.

Patty's Key, bred by Todd Lieber and owned in partnership by Lieber and Rick Ketcher, captured his first stakes win and collected $46,665 in the process. He covered six furlongs in a spritely 1:10.22 over a surface that had been upgraded to fast following some early evening showers.