Prairie Meadows: Nine in futurity

Hesluckytoo is a tepid selection facing nine other 2-year-olds, all in search of their first career stakes score, in the $60,000 Iowa Stallion Futurity at Prairie Meadows.

Hesluckytoo was one of the most impressive maiden winners during the Thoroughbred meeting here. He dueled to midstretch before drawing clear for a two-length debut victory going five furlongs on May 30 for trainer Larry Hunt.

Hesluckytoo returns to the races following a 10-week layoff, and if workouts are any indication, Hesluckytoo, who gets Lasix for the first time in the Futurity, is ready. Over the past month, he has recorded four works here at distances from a half-mile to six furlongs, and all four have been bullets.

Ken Shino has a return call on Hesluckytoo, whose 65 Beyer Speed Figure in his debut tops the field.

Kentucky-bred Knocker was also an impressive winner in his only career start, rallying from off the pace to score a widening 4 3/4-length victory against $25,000 maiden claimers going five furlongs at Arlington on July 27.

Terry Thompson picks up the mount aboard Knocker for owner-trainer Don Von Hemel.

The filly Jazzy Okie may be a good wagering proposition in the Futurity. She is trained by Kelly Von Hemel, son of Don. Jazzie Okie rallied to score a 3 1/2-length victory over maiden special weight company in her debut going 4 1/2 furlongs here on May 21.

She returned to face open stakes company in the $50,000 Prairie Gold Lassie at five furlongs on July 3. Jazzie Okie dumped rider Joel Campbell going to the gate and ran off for nearly a half-mile before being caught.

Despite the incident, Jazzie Okie went postward as the 2-1 favorite in the Lassie, but she faded to third, beaten 7 3/4 lengths, after taking the lead approaching the stretch. Campbell has a return call aboard Jazzie Okie, who has the talent to win the Futurity if she is on her best behavior.