Remembering Rita using Rasmussen as path to Cornhusker

Remembering Rita preps for his attempt to win a second straight Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap when he starts as a heavy favorite Monday at Prairie Meadows in the $65,000 Jim Rasmussen Memorial.

Remembering Rita entered the 2018 Prairie Meadows meeting a maiden but six weeks later posted a 20-1 upset in the Cornhusker.

Trainer Doug Anderson campaigned Remembering Rita actively during the Oaklawn Park meeting, and after a couple of somewhat troubled trips that helped shake off rust, Remembering Rita won an allowance race and finished fourth, beaten three-quarters of a length, in the Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap on April 13.

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“He came back a little tired, so we kind of backed off on his training,” Anderson said

Remembering Rita thrives at Prairie Meadows and has perked back up during morning exercise. He posted a bullet half-mile work in the slop May 19 and did it easily, Anderson said.

“We thought this might be a good prep for the Cornhusker. I think we’re back where we want to be with him now,” said Anderson.

Remembering Rita and jockey Alex Birzer have the outside post in a six-horse field. His trip could get tricky since three horses to his inside possess the same forward-early running style Remembering Rita employs.