Prairie Meadows: Debut winners top Iowa Stallion Futurity

Friday night’s $60,000 Iowa Stallion Futurity, a restricted 5 1/2-furlong sprint for nominated and eligible 2-year-olds, drew a full field of 12. To be eligible, a horse must be the progeny of a qualifying stallion and, subsequently, scheduled fees must be paid during the nomination process.

The field is headed by the filly Wild Ritzy and the gelding Senor Captain, who both impressed when cruising to victory in their only start.

Wild Ritzy, an Iowa-bred trained by Lynn Chleborad, showed an affinity for the slop in her June 15 debut when she romped by 10 lengths in a 4 1/2-furlong dash. With oppressive heat and a lack of rain expected to continue through the weekend in the Des Moines area, Wild Ritzy must prove her mettle on a fast surface.

Senor Captain broke on top in his 4 1/2-furlong debut and pulled away late from next out winners Zeki and Cagey Rascal on May 27. Senor Captain, a January foal who was bred in Iowa, breezed a sharp three furlongs in 35.76 seconds last Sunday for new conditioner Jon Arnett.

The field’s most notable shipper is recent arrival Sunwave, a Louisiana-bred who finished a rallying fourth after a tardy start in his June 25 debut at Louisiana Downs. On Sunday morning, Sunwave looked ready for the stallion futurity in his 48.45-second initial workout over this surface.

Local second-place finishers Added Sunshine, who rallied behind the highly regarded Molly Seven when beaten three lengths on June 24, and Iftheslewfitz, who flashed good speed in Cagey Rascal’s June 24 victory, add intrigue.

Chicago shipper Jandemar’s Slew and Bet Your Life, a Minnesota-bred trained by Chris Richard - who is tied with Ray Tracy with a meet-leading 41 wins - also bear noting.