Von Hemel takes Cyclones Handicap by storm

It’s been the year of the Iowa-bred for trainer Kelly Von Hemel.

Ain’t Life Grand won the Iowa Derby in his home state earlier this summer and is now at Saratoga awaiting a start in the Travers.

And before then, Von Hemel will saddle four capable older horses in the $75,000 Cyclones Handicap for Iowa-breds on Saturday night at Prairie Meadows.

“We’ve had a super year,” Von Hemel said of the barn’s Iowa-breds. “All of them have been performing well. All of them have run their hearts out.”

Ain’t Life Grand won a restricted stakes at Prairie Meadows following his score in the Iowa Derby and arrived in New York on Sunday morning to prepare for the Travers, Von Hemel said.

Back at home, Whiskey Wednesday will start as the 121-pound highweight in the Cyclones, which will be run over 1 1/16 miles. The race drew seven. Von Hemel also will saddle You Talkin to Me, Sir Wally Wally, and Time Goes On.

“Four in one spot is plenty for me,” he quipped.

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Whiskey Wednesday closed from more than 10 lengths off the pace for second in a July 18 allowance at Prairie Meadows. It came over the same distance as the Cyclones.

“He likes to fall back, likes to make one run,” Von Hemel said. “He got a little farther back last time than what he usually does. I think he’ll lay a little closer.”

Kevin Roman has the mount from post 3.

Sir Wally Wally won the July allowance over Whiskey Wednesday. He proved a length best in what served as the local prep for the Cyclones. Sir Wally Wally, who is a multiple stakes winner, will start from post 5 under Elvin Gonzalez.

“He’s just one of those horses that tries hard every time,” Von Hemel said. “We had been waiting to stretch him back out.”

Time Goes On was third in the same allowance, finishing 1 3/4 lengths behind Sir Wally Wally. Time Goes On, who has run second in three local stakes, will break from post 7 under Glenn Corbett.

“He’ll be forwardly placed,” Von Hemel said. “He had such a horrible trip last time. He was outside, got caught six, seven wide – both turns. We’re looking for a better scenario. Hopefully, he’ll be a lot closer to the inside rail than he was his last race. That will improve his chances immensely.”

You Talkin to Me enters off an Aug. 1 allowance win at a mile at Prairie Meadows. The Beyer Speed Figure of 79 that he earned for his more than five-length victory is the best last-race number in the Cyclones. Kylee Jordan has the mount from post 4.

“Last year, he was really coming to hand, ended up winning the Iowa Breeders’ Derby,” Von Hemel said. “We put blinkers on him last time. He ran a huge race.”

The field is completed by 2020 Cyclones winner Minecraft Maniac, June allowance winner John R, and speed horse Mr. Solo.

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