Scrutinizer gets easy victory in John Wayne Stakes

Scrutinizer, back on top of his game just in time for the Iowa-bred stakes program this summer, won the $60,000 John Wayne Stakes by 3 1/2 lengths on Saturday evening at Prairie Meadows.

Pressing Molleck’s early pace under jockey Glenn Corbett, Scrutinizer took over on the far turn, edged clear into the homestretch and wasn’t challenged, drawing away for a comfortable win as the 3-2 favorite. Han Sense came from last to get second, three-quarters of a length in front of Itsallaboutyou. Scrutinizer ($5) ran six furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.70. Artie’s Rumor, Basic Chance, and Jackie Blu were scratched.

Scrutinizer is a lightly raced 5-year-old gelding who won for the sixth time in 17 career starts. At Prairie Meadows, where he had a strong 2017 campaign, Scrutinizer’s record now stands at 6-3-2 from 14 starts. Bred and owned by Dream Farm and trained by Gene Jacquot, he is by Native Ruler and out of the mare Sharlily, who is by the foundational Iowa stallion Sharkey.