Red Route One, Unload Back for Cornhusker Rematch

Just a year ago Winchell Thoroughbreds and Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen completed the exacta in the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G3) with late-running Red Route One  and pacesetting Unload . Now, they'll attempt to do it again with the same two horses in the $300,000 race July 5 at Prairie Meadows.

Video: Prairie Meadows Cornhusker H. (G3)

Red Route One is on the same form cycle that led him to success in the 1 1/8-mile contest last year: a graded win in March followed by two defeats. However, the two defeats this year have come by greater margins. He attempts to bounce back Saturday after being eased in the May 16 Pimlico Special Stakes (G3) on a sealed fast track.

Ben Curtis picks up the mount on the son of Gun Runner  , being the only change to the lineup for the team this year as Walter De La Cruz returns to try and one-up his 2024 surprise placing aboard Unload at odds of 66-1.

Another son of Gun Runner, Unload set an easy pace last year but could receive some early competition this year from Juddmonte Farms' Dragoon Guard , who took the Indiana Derby (G3) and West Virginia Derby (G3) in gate-to-wire fashion last summer for trainer Brad Cox.

Also in the field is grade 3-placed Gould's Gold  for 4 G Racing, Lance Gasaway, and Magdalena Racing. The Kenny McPeek-trained 4-year-old son of Goldencents   exits a Churchill Downs allowance win in which he set a track record for 1 1/8 miles in 1:47.26.