Sharkiowa prevails in Gray's Lake Stakes

ALTOONA, Iowa - When Maya's Storm was scratched from Monday's Gray's Lake Stakes at Prairie Meadows, Sharkiowa inherited the role of favorite and was bet down to 2-5 in the field of five Iowa-bred 3-year-olds.

After dueling with R R Gold early in the six-furlong race, Sharkiowa ($2.40) put his head in front to stay nearing the quarter pole and pulled away to win by a hard-fought 1 1/4 lengths. The Gray's Lake was Sharkiowa's stakes debut and his third win in a row. Terry Thompson was aboard the winner, who timed in 1:10.10.

Hesablumin circled the field and took aim on the winner as the field turned into the stretch but couldn't run Sharkiowa down. R R Gold was third, 6 1/2 lengths behind Hesablumin.