Queen Lilly Kay eyes repeat victory in Hawkeyes Handicap

ALTOONA, Iowa – Queen Lilly Kay, a comfortable 6 3/4-length winner of last year’s renewal, seeks to dominate six rivals in Friday evening’s $75,000 Hawkeyes Handicap, a 1 1/16-mile event for Iowa-bred fillies and mares.

Queen Lilly Kay, a Kelly Von Hemel trainee who has proven her versatility in regard to distance and surface, might be best in turf routes but handles this main track well, having finished in the money in 10 of her 11 starts on this surface.

Most recently, in the six-furlong Mamie Eisenhower on May 9, the 5-year-old Indy King mare managed a wide rally to finish third, 1 1/2 lengths behind the quick Jumped the Harbor. Queen Lilly Kay, retaining the services of jockey Glenn Corbett, drew the rail and is the 9-5 morning-line favorite.

Queen Lilly Kay’s stablemate Someplace Else, the improving Sumting Wong, and the stalwart veteran Ginger Added provide solid opposition to the probable favorite’s quest for a repeat score. Someplace Else, who threw in a clunker when eighth in the Mamie Eisenhower, can rebound and often has used her tactical speed to good effect in two-turn races.

Sumting Wong, an easy 2 3/4-length winner of last season’s Iowa Breeders’ Oaks, finished a neck in front of Queen Lilly Kay when second in the Mamie Eisenhower, and her four-furlong breeze in 47.88 seconds May 25 was sharp. Ginger Added, a winner of $328,783 lifetime, with all 19 of her starts over this surface, is primed for her best following a trio of sprint races during this meet.

I Tour, Jokes N Jazz, and Jeffell would have to improve to threaten the principals but have flashed good-enough form to warrant a closer look. I Tour runs her best races when left on an uncontested lead, and jockey Alex Birzer will aim to control a tepid pace.

Jokes N Jazz, victorious in route races on the last two Iowa Classic Nights for trainer Chris Hartman, is a deep closer who would be aided by a contested pace. Jeffell, from Dave McShane’s stable, which has been on a hot streak of late, can pass tiring rivals in the stretch and boost exotic wagers.

The Hawkeyes Handicap, the feature on a nine-race card that starts at 6:30 p.m. Central, is set for 9:37.

◗ Last week, Prairie Meadows changed some betting rules to allow trifecta wagering in fields of five or more and superfecta wagering in fields of six or more.