Sure Shot Biscuit tries ending slide

ALTOONA, Iowa - Three-time defending Iowa-bred horse of the year Sure Shot Biscuit looks for his first win of the year when he faces five other statebreds in Saturday's $60,000-added John Wayne Stakes at Prairie Meadows.

Sure Shot Biscuit enters the John Wayne on a rare four-race losing streak, but has finished third or better in all three of his 2002 starts for trainer Kelly Von Hemel.

Sure Shot Biscuit, a 6-year-old gelded son of Miracle Heights, is the richest Iowa-bred ever with more than $967,000 in earnings, and a win in the six-furlong John Wayne would make him the first Iowa-bred millionaire.

Sure Shot Biscuit, the defending John Wayne champ, finished third in a tough open allowance-optional claiming race here May 21 in his most recent start. Before that he finished second behind multiple stakes winner Chindi here May 11.

Overall, Sure Shot Biscuit has won 23 of 43 starts for his owners, the Okoboji Racing Stable. Sure Shot Biscuit's regular rider, Terry Thompson, will be aboard at 120 pounds.

Le Numerous and Reuben, look like major threats to Sure Shot Biscuit.

Le Numerous has finished in front of Sure Shot Biscuit both times the two have met this year, including May 21 when he finished second behind Medium Rare, who covered six furlongs in a rapid 1:08.74. Paul Pearson trains Le Numerous for owner River Ridge Ranch. Luis Quinonez has a return call at 123 pounds.

Reuben finished in front of both Le Numerous and Sure Shot Biscuit on April 26 when he crossed the wire a nose in front of Le Numerous in a $52,000 allowance contest for Iowa-breds. Reuben was disqualified and placed second behind in that race for drifting out and impeding Le Numerous in the stretch.

In his only other start of the year, Reuben finished third behind Chindi and Sure Shot Biscuit on May 11. Reuben is best on the lead and could clear early in the John Wayne under Glenn Corbett. He finished second in this race last year behind Sure Shot Biscuit.