Thirstforlife can go from good claim to great one with Cornhusker win

Wes Hawley claimed Hawaakom for $15,000 and has run close to $1 million out of the 8-year-old.

Hawley claimed the 4-year-old Thirstforlife for $50,000 last fall – imagine what he might wind up doing.

Hawaakom just missed finishing second last month in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster and continues to excel, but twice he ran poorly in the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker, finishing sixth in the race’s last two editions. Hawley will find out if Thirstforlife holds a greater fondness for Prairie Meadows when he starts in the Grade 3, $250,000 Cornhusker Handicap on Friday night.

The Cornhusker (race 8, post time 9:30 p.m. Central) is the last of three open stakes on the card following the Iowa Sprint and the Iowa Derby. Unfortunately, it goes without morning-line favorite Dr. Dorr, who didn’t ship from California.

Eight others are expected in the 1 1/8-mile Cornhusker, with McCraken the highweight at 119 pounds. Matrooh, third last out in the Foster, carries 117 pounds, while Thirstforlife and California shipper Dalmore are weighted at 116.

The local forecast calls for ideal conditions Friday night, with temperatures in the 70s and little chance of rain.

KEY CONTENDERS

THIRSTFORLIFE, by Stay Thirsty

Last 3 Beyers: 97-94-91

◗ With Dr. Dorr out, his 97 Beyer Speed Figure from a visually appealing fourth-level allowance win June 16 at Churchill is the highest last-out figure in the field. He’s been first or second in his last eight starts and was runner-up in the Mineshaft Handicap at Fair Grounds, his lone stakes try.

“He’s sound and he’s 4,” said Hawley, who also owns the horse. “I think he’s the now horse. If he wins Friday, I’m thinking of running him in the Whitney.”

◗ He has yet to race beyond 1 1/16 miles, but between his pedigree and the way he’s finished his shorter two-turn races, he figures to get the nine furlongs.

“He came back from his last race and worked a half-mile in 47 and 2 the other day by himself with his neck bowed and without being asked,” Hawley said.

MATROOH, by Distorted Humor

Last 3 Beyers: 95-102-88

◗ Another excellent claim, this one by trainer Cipriano Contreras, who in partnership with Crystal Enterprises took the 8-year-old gelding for $25,000 on March 3. Matrooh since has won an Oaklawn sprint allowance, the Hanshin Cup over one mile on Arlington Polytrack, and was a fine third in the 1 1/8-mile Foster.

“He’s an old class horse,” Contreras said. “When I got this horse, he was really doing good. All we changed was to run him in different races.”

◗ Finished his Hanshin stronger than his Foster, but Contreras thinks Matrooh stays the Cornhusker trip.

“The distance wasn’t the problem last time,” Contreras said. “I was worried about the company.”

◗ Contreras said he was impressed by Matrooh’s last work for the Cornhusker.

MCCRAKEN, by Ghostzapper

Last 3 Beyers: 96-95-78

◗ Ran one-turn miles in his two starts this year, most recently finishing sixth in the Grade 1 Metropolitan at Belmont. Trainer Ian Wilkes said a lack of similar opportunities led him to the Cornhusker.

“Do I sit for another two months to wait for a mile?” Wilkes said. “We’ve only run twice this year. My goal is the Breeders’ Cup Mile, and I can always shorten back up. I got to run somewhere – I really believe that.”

◗ Wilkes thinks McCraken has room to improve this year, but the colt’s form makes it fair to wonder if he wasn’t an early developer whose peak might already have passed.

HENCE, by Street Boss

Last 3 Beyers: 89-85-83

◗ Longshot sleeper hasn’t won a race since capturing the 2017 Iowa Derby on this surface.

“Just trying to recreate the Prairie Meadows magic,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “I’ve been disappointed in his effort. If he chooses to run, he’s fast.”