Hence Heads Field of Nine in Iowa Derby
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Photo: Coady Photography
Hence seeks another graded win in the Iowa Derby
Calumet Farm homebred Hence will attempt to get back to the winner's circle after off-the-board finishes in the first two legs of the Triple Crown when he lines up against eight other sophomore colts in the $250,000 Iowa Derby (G3) at Prairie Meadows July 7.
The Steve Asmussen-trained son of Street Boss was a winner back in March when he closed from 10th—running by eventual multiple graded stakes winner Irap—to finish 3 3/4 lengths ahead in the Sunland Derby (G3). Since then, he ran 11th in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) after being steadied; and ninth in the Preakness Stakes (G1).
In Friday's 1 1/16-mile test, Hence will break from post 6 under Racing Hall of Fame rider Mike Smith, spotting the eight other entrants six or nine pounds.
Petrov, Impressive Edge, and Thirstforlife are among the 3-year-olds aiming to break through in graded stakes company.
Petrov, who will start from the rail, has only one win, but the Ron Moquett-trainee enters the Iowa Derby off four straight graded stakes tries, with his best effort being a second in the Southwest Stakes (G3).
NK Racing's Impressive Edge won an allowance event at Gulfstream Park in March, then finished fourth in the Xpressbet.com Florida Derby (G1) before running third behind undefeated Timeline in the Peter Pan Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park May 13. He will carry 116 pounds and break from post 4 under Robby Albarado for trainer Dale Romans.
The Mark Casse-trained Thirstforlife ran fifth in his only start this year, but placed in the grade 2 Best Pal Stakes last August at Del Mar. He is scheduled to start from the outside in the field of nine.
Looming a potential threat is last out Prairie Meadows stakes winner Jerrid. The son of Mineshaft scored by 2 3/4 lengths in the Prairie Mile Stakes June 9 for his owner, the Sather Family.
Janis Witham homebred McCormick is also moving up. The Hard Spun colt has won his past two races at Churchill Downs, including a one-mile allowance event June 4 where the Ian Wilkes trainee bested six rivals—and fellow Iowa Derby entrant Silver Dust—by 2 1/2 lengths.
One race earlier on the Friday card, the $100,000 Iowa Distaff features eight older fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles with Witham Thoroughbreds' homebred Walkabout slated as the highweight carrying 123 pounds.
The 4-year-old daughter of Stroll broke slow and was never a threat in the June 17 Fleur de Lis Handicap (G2), but won the Matron Stakes (G3) by a neck one start prior. She will break from post 2 under Julien Leparoux.
Iowa-bred Mywomanfromtokyo comes in strong to Friday's test, having finished first or second in her past six races, all at Prairie Meadows. Crimson King Farm and Christine Rhiner's Neko Bay filly won the 1 1/16-mile Hawkeyes Handicap by 5 1/2 lengths last out against other state-bred fillies and mares.
Jeanne Bruce homebred Ruby Sioux also enters off a Prairie Meadows stakes win, digging in to score in the Jack Bishop Stakes, also at 1 1/16 miles, by a head May 26.
Iowa Distaff S.
Prairie Meadows, Friday, July 07, 2017, Race 8
- STK
- 1 1/16m
- Dirt
- $100,000
- 3 yo's & up Fillies and Mares
- 9:17 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Mywomanfromtokyo (IA) | Glenn W. Corbett | 120 | Kelly R. Von Hemel | 8/1 |
| 2 | 2Walkabout (KY) | Julien R. Leparoux | 123 | Ian R. Wilkes | 7/2 |
| 3 | 3Cleverness (KY) |
Alex Birzer | 120 | Lynn Chleborad | 12/1 |
| 4 | 4Divine Dutchess (KY) | Chya Johnstone | 116 | Boyd Caster | 15/1 |
| 5 | 5Danzatrice (KY) |
Mike E. Smith | 116 | Steven M. Asmussen | 4/1 |
| 6 | 6Divine Elegance (KY) | Robby Albarado | 120 | Randy Matthews | 5/1 |
| 7 | 7Brooklynsway (ON) | Corey J. Lanerie | 114 | Bernard S. Flint | 5/2 |
| 8 | 8Ruby Sioux (KY) | Ramon A. Vazquez | 118 | Donnie K. Von Hemel | 10/1 |
Iowa Derby (G3)
Prairie Meadows, Friday, July 07, 2017, Race 9
- 1 1/16m
- Dirt
- $250,000
- 3 yo
- 9:50 PM (local)
| PP | Horse | Jockey | Wgt | Trainer | M/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1Petrov (KY) |
Ricardo Santana, Jr. | 113 | Ron Moquett | 7/2 |
| 2 | 2Silver Dust (KY) |
Ken S. Tohill | 113 | Randy L. Morse | 6/1 |
| 3 | 3McCormick (KY) | Julien R. Leparoux | 116 | Ian R. Wilkes | 9/2 |
| 4 | 4Impressive Edge (KY) |
Robby Albarado | 116 | Dale L. Romans | 4/1 |
| 5 | 5Jerrid (KY) | Ramon A. Vazquez | 116 | Scott E. Young | 8/1 |
| 6 | 6Hence (KY) | Mike E. Smith | 122 | Steven M. Asmussen | 5/1 |
| 7 | 7Balandeen (KY) |
David Cabrera | 119 | Chris A. Hartman | 15/1 |
| 8 | 8Line Judge (KY) |
Chris Landeros | 113 | Joe Sharp | 12/1 |
| 9 | 9Thirstforlife (KY) |
Corey J. Lanerie | 113 | Mark E. Casse | 10/1 |