Prairie Meadows: Alsvid wins Prairie Mile, Tapajo takes Panthers

ALTOONA, Iowa - Well within himself, Alsvid drew away from seven 3-year-old opponents to take Saturday evening's $60,000 Prairie Mile by 5 1/4 lengths.

Based here in Chris Hartman's stable and owned by Black Hawk Stable, Alsvid seized the initiative in the opening quarter-mile under Chris Landeros. He controlled the proceedings thereafter while covering the mile in 1:38.52.

The Mile marked Alsvid's first venture around two turns and should set him up nicely for the Grade 3 $250,000 Iowa Derby hre on June 30.

The Steve Asmussen-trained Truetap rallied four wide from last place to finish second. Z Rockstar, who shipped in from Arlington Park for Donnie K. Von Hemel, staged a mild rally and ended up third.

Alsvid ($3.80), who earlier in the meet won the Golden Circle, earned $36,000.

* Also Saturday, Tapajo pulled away from five 3-year-old filly rivals to win the $60,000 Panthers Stakes, the local prep for the Grade 3, $200,000 Iowa Oaks.

Owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds and trained locally by Steve Asmussen, made her first race around two turns a procession winning by 6 1/4 lengths in a time of 1:38.79.

Banded, who returned from Chicago for trainer Richie Scherer, stayed on to finish second, 1 1/2 lengths in front of Oklahoma shipper Flatterific, who finished third after chasing Tapajo in vain.

Tapajo ($3.60), who won the Goldfinch Stakes here April 20, will remain here and point for the June 30 Iowa Oaks.