Eyeing Clover, Bo Cruz Loom as Iowa Derby Contenders

In a large field of 3-year-olds, Eyeing Clover  will look to return to the winner's circle in the $250,000 Iowa Derby July 8 at Prairie Meadows going 1 1/16 miles over the main track.

Last out, the Brad Cox-trained son of Lookin at Lucky   fell to third behind and Hayes Strike  and Harlocap  in the May 29 Texas Derby when unable to keep up with the winner's closing pace.

From five starts, he owns a record of 3-0-1, with his breakout score a win in the April 1 Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn Park. His other races include a victory on debut at Oaklawn, an allowance optional claiming race at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, and a fourth in the Gotham Stakes (G3) this year at Aqueduct Racetrack.

Ricardo Santana Jr. is aboard.

Bo Cruz , third behind Disarm  and Verifying  after setting the pace in the Matt Winn Stakes (G3) at Ellis Park June 11, heads the opposition. Prior to that race, he won two in a row against easier competition. The Creative Cause   gray, trained by Al Stall Jr., is 2-1-1 in four starts for owners Skyscraper Racing, Racingwithbruno, Brian Pagano, and Patrick Grippo.

Cristian Torres rides.

Raise Cain , cross-entered in Saturday's Iowa Derby and the Indiana Derby (G3) at Horseshoe Indianapolis, will pass the Iowa Derby to run in Indiana, trainer Ben Colebrook indicated via text message.

Field of Seven Topped by Imonra Seek Graded Success in Iowa Oaks

Earlier on the card is the $225,000 Iowa Oaks (G3), in which seven 3-year-old fillies will vie for their first graded win in the 1 1/16-mile dirt event, including 5-2 morning-line favorite Imonra .

Arriving to the Oaks from back-to-back wins at Gulfstream Park, the daughter of Violence   looks primed to step into stakes company after a 2 3/4-length win in an allowance optional claiming race. In her previous race, she routed seven rivals to break her maiden by 11 3/4 lengths over a mile in her fourth start.

The Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee is campaigned by Peter Vegso, who also bred the filly out of his stakes-winning mare Light Bringer .

Up against the talented dark bay is Mike McCarthy trainee Friendlypersuasion , who has been unsuccessful in stakes company but was good enough to win an allowance optional claiming race by 10 1/2 lengths at Keeneland last fall. Coming fifth last out in the seven-furlong Leslie's Lady Overnight Stakes at Ellis, the BG Stables' daughter of Arrogate should relish a return to a longer distance.

Also entered is Crypto Mo , who won her last two starts, an allowance race along with the June 10 Panthers Stakes, both at Prairie Meadows. The Mohaymen   filly is trained and co-owned by Travis Swan Murphy for partners Matt Trent and Triple V Racing.

Completing the field are Love Tank , Peacock Lass , Stellar Lady , and Broken Hearts Bay .