Red-hot Arnett has solid trio in John Wayne Stakes

ALTOONA, Iowa – The speedy Shock Hazard, part of red-hot trainer Jon Arnett’s uncoupled trio of geldings, heads Saturday night’s $70,000-added John Wayne Stakes, a six-furlong sprint for Iowa-bred colts and geldings. Arnett, who is off to a 10-for-30 start through the first nine days of the meet, also saddles the Jim Leech-owned duo of Zeki and Cainam.

Shock Hazard, who won a pair of Iowa-bred sprint stakes last season as a 3-year-old, looked sharp April 30, when he controlled the proceedings for a three-quarter-length win over a tough quartet of open allowance rivals. Cainam, a deep-closing 8-year-old, splashed his way to a three-length win over Iowa-breds on opening night, April 18. Zeki makes his 2015 debut off a string of good workouts at Sunland Park and over this strip.

Despite the presence of six other talented Iowa-breds, the Arnett-trained trio will garner the bulk of the win wagering.

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KEY CONTENDERS

Patty’s Key (Last 3 Beyers: 81-56-62)

◗ He won this race last year when earning a career-best 82 Beyer Speed Figure. He had two races under his belt prior to the John Wayne last year, but this time, he makes his first start since running second to Shock Hazard in the Iowa Classic Sprint last Aug. 2.◗ Wednesday’s three-furlong breeze in 35.90 seconds indicated his well-being.

Shock Hazard (Last 3 Beyers: 84-65-89)

◗ He has won five of seven races since jockey Ken Tohill climbed aboard.

◗ He is well drawn to seize command from the outset, which is his style.

Zeki (Last 3 Beyers: 72-71-67)

◗ He led every step of the way when winning a pair of Iowa-bred route stakes in 2014.

◗ He is capable when stalking the pace in sprint races and is 8 for 16 in his career, with all 16 races here.

◗ Jockey Shane Laviolette, off to a 12-for-60 start at this meet, retains the mount.

You Funny Man (Last 3 Beyers: 63-68-60)

◗ This rallying sprinter won the 2013 Iowa Classic Sprint and picks up jockey Ramon Vazquez in his second start for trainer Paul Pearson.

Cainam (Last 3 Beyers: 75-68-80)

◗ He has earned a towering $556,762 in 35 local starts. ◗ Although more effective around two turns, he showed that he retains his ability when rallying for a clear-cut win in the April 18 sprint.

Ten set for Mamie Eisenhower

Iowa-bred fillies and mares take their turn in the co-featured, $70,000-added Mamie Eisenhower, also run over six furlongs.

Among the contentious field of 10 are lukewarm morning-line favorite Sumting Wong, a 1 1/2-length winner of the April 19 prep for this, and defending race winner Jumped the Harbor.

KEY CONTENDERS

M B Prize (Last 3 Beyers: 72-27-24)

◗ This Arnett trainee is one of the field’s two 3-year-old fillies. At the least, her rail draw ensures an honest pace as both of her career wins were in gate-to-wire fashion.

Rallydownthealley (Last 3 Beyers: 59-66-71)

◗ She caught attention with a late bid when fourth April 19 here.

◗ She represents the potent jockey-trainer combo of Vazquez and Federico Villafranco (who are 27 percent in 2014-15) for the 2014 meet’s leading owner, Danny Caldwell.

Jafmils Persuader (Beyer: 59)

◗ She closed rapidly for a nose victory April 18 over easy next-out maiden winner Leading the Band.

◗ This 3-year-old filly, also trained by Arnett, fits here despite the class hike.

Jumped the Harbor (Last 3 Beyers: 19-69-69)

◗ If you excuse the poor effort in the April 19 allowance, last year’s winner poses a threat. She followed a similar pattern last season and has tactical speed if ready for her best.

Sumting Wong (Last 3 Beyers: 71-66-70)

◗ Trainer Doug Anderson, 6 for 18 to start the meet, saddles this multiple route stakes-winning Iowa-bred 5-year-old mare.

◗ Jockey Alex Birzer takes over for the injured David Mello. Birzer and Sumting Wong must overcome the outside post in the field of 10.