Wolf Pack Jack brings hot streak into John Wayne Stakes

ALTOONA, Iowa – Wolf Pack Jack, the fastest Iowa-bred 3-year-old last season, can use his abundant speed to dominate Saturday’s $70,000 John Wayne Stakes, a six-furlong dash that drew eight Iowa-bred geldings.

Trained by Ray Tracy and owned by his Black Oak Farm, Wolf Pack Jack, a winner of five of his last six, including two Iowa-bred stakes, looked sharp in his April 19 season debut, when he led every step of six furlongs to defeat six of his seven John Wayne rivals by 2 1/4 lengths. David Mello, defending his local riding title and on top of the standings with 19 wins, retains the assignment.

The battle-hardened Ice Hockey, a 7-year-old who ran second to the absent Wings of War in last year’s John Wayne, will give it his usual best shot for perennial leading owner Maggi Moss and trainer Chris Richard. Ice Hockey, racing for the first time since August 2013, got tired from chasing Wolf Pack Jack on April 19 and should race fitter on this occasion.

Deep closers Cainam and Patty’s Key merit respect, especially if anyone can go with Wolf Pack Jack on the lead. Cainam, a winner of $506,809 over this surface, makes a quick reappearance after stretching his legs Sunday when sixth in a tough optional-claiming route. Patty’s Key, the star of Thad Keller’s stable, is an improving sort who finished well when second in Wolf Pack Jack’s April 19 tally. The 4-year-old Sir Shackleton gelding has yet to catch Wolf Pack Jack in three previous attempts.

Scherer Magic, the winner of the Grade 3 Hollywood Juvenile Championship in 2012, has finally made his way to Iowa via private purchase and looks set to rebound after a lackluster local debut. The Ray Ashford-trained Aqueduct transplant failed to fire when sixth in that key April 19 race.

Stakes regular Launch Light, former claimer Penny Pinchin Pat, and the capable rallier You Funny Man complete the lineup.

The John Wayne is scheduled for 9:37 p.m. Central.