Carve Seeks Cornhusker Handicap Repeat

Michael Langford's Carve, a determined neck winner of the 2014 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (gr. III), is back in the 2015 edition and looking for his second score of the season June 27 at Prairie Meadows.

The 7-2 choice on the morning line in a group of 11 older horses for the 1 1/8-mile dirt test, 5-year-old Carve seeks a return to the winner's circle off runner-up efforts in the May 25 Lone Star Park Handicap (gr. III) and the April 11 Oaklawn Handicap (gr. II). His last win for trainer Brad Cox came Jan. 16 in the Fifth Season Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Shaun Bridgmohan has the mount from post 2 on the son of First Samurai, who carries high-weight of 119 pounds.

Third in both the Oaklawn Handicap and the Lone Star Park Handicap was Winchell Thoroughbreds' homebred Tapiture. The 4-year-old Tapit   colt looks back to last year's West Virginia Derby (gr. II) for his most recent win for trainer Steve Asmussen, although he closed his season with a determined second to defending winner Goldencents   in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I). Ricardo Santana Jr. has the mount from the 6 hole aboard the 4-1 second choice on the morning line.

E. Paul Robsham Stables' Golden Lad, third choice on the morning line at odds of 9-2, could very well pose a threat off a five-length victory in the May 30 Mountainview Handicap going the Cornhusker distance at Penn National. Winner of the 2014 Razorback Handicap (gr. III), this 5-year-old son of Medaglia d'Oro   has been unable to land a graded score since then, but has twice taken stakes events, including his most recent triumph. Javier Castellano, who rode him at Penn National, is back in the irons from post 4.

Another runner of interest is former claimer Page McKenney, who ran a career-best effort in the May 15 Pimlico Special (gr. III) to finish 2 1/2 lengths behind Commissioner in second, despite incurring a minor injury at the start. Regular rider Horacio Karamanos has the mount from the 9 hole aboard the 5-year-old Eavesdropper gelding.

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Trainer Ian Wilkes could also have a shot with Mary Ann Charlston's Ulanbator, a solid allowance winner last time out May 28 at Churchill Downs. The 4-year-old Offlee Wild   colt is still seeking his first graded stakes victory, but has hit the board in grade III company in the past. Chris Landeros rides from the inside.

Completing the field are runners like Jessica's Star, Lahshad, and Smack Smack, the top three finishers in the local May 25 Jim Rasmussen Memorial Stakes going 1 1/16 miles, and allowance winners Gavroche and Ecleto Red. Jessica's Star is cross-entered in the Turning for Home Stakes at Parx Racing.