Exclamation Point Seeks Stakes Win in Cornhusker
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Photo: Coady Photography
Exclamation Point at Oaklawn Park
Steven Nicholson, Brandi Nicholson, and Flurry Racing Stables' Exclamation Point, a half brother to 2-year-old champion Classic Empire , is entered for his second stakes appearance in the $300,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G3) July 5, a 1 1/8-mile event for 3-year-olds and up.
A 4-year-old colt by Concord Point out of Sambuca Classica, by Cat Thief, Exclamation Point won his first three career starts at 3, then returned in February off a 10-month layoff. The Brad Cox trainee was fourth in his seasonal debut but picked up two wins in allowance optional claiming before Exulting bested him by a length in the May 3 Oaklawn Mile Stakes.
Exulting was a $62,500 claim April 13 at Aqueduct Racetrack, when he was beaten by a neck in allowance optional claiming at a mile. The Oaklawn Mile was his first start with trainer Mike Maker and owner Michael Hui. The 6-year-old Tapit gelding was seventh—beaten 11 3/4 lengths—in the June 15 Stephen Foster Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs but receives class relief in the Cornhusker.
Two California shippers—led by S. Alesia, Burns Racing, Ciaglia Racing, and R. Christensen's Dark Vader—are in search of a breakthrough. Dark Vader was third in last year's Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G3) and Easy Goer Stakes. The 4-year-old Tale of Ekati colt returned from a 10-month layoff May 24, losing by a head in allowance optional claiming at Santa Anita Park.
Slam Dunk Racing, Richard Baltas, Tom Mansor, Tammi Nielsen, and Kim Rasmussen's Two Thirty Five, third another 1 3/4 lengths behind Dark Vader last out, also makes the trip to the Midwest.
Other entries include Jeral Keith Adams' Remembering Rita, who is back to defend his Cornhusker title; Richard Otto Stables' Sir Anthony, looking for his first win this year since upsetting Audible in the Dec. 15 Harlan's Holiday Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park; and Calumet Farm's Hence, who's been off the board in five starts since winning Remington Park's Governor's Cup Stakes in late September.
Earlier on Prairie Meadows' Friday card, the $100,000 Iowa Sprint Handicap will feature 3-year-olds and up dashing six furlongs.
Three Diamonds Farm's Do Share, another Maker trainee, made the grade two starts back in the Tom Fool Handicap (G3) March 9 at Aqueduct, where he drew off by 6 1/2 lengths. It was the only clean beginning in his past four starts, including the May 4 Churchill Downs Stakes Presented by Twinspires.com (G1). The 6-year-old Candy Ride gelding was bumped at the break, ran four to five wide, and rallied to finish fourth, 5 1/2 lengths behind Mitole.
West Point Thoroughbreds' Seven Trumpets is using the Iowa Sprint as his seasonal bow. The 4-year-old Morning Line colt placed in multiple graded stakes last year, including a runner-up effort to stablemate Promises Fulfilled in the H. Allen Jerkens Stakes Presented by Runhappy (G1) at Saratoga Race Course, but ended the year with a last-place run in the Dec. 26 Malibu Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita.
Seven Trumpets has tuned up for his return with back-to-back bullet breezes at Churchill Downs. The Dale Romans trainee worked five-eighths in :59 4/5 June 25 and a half-mile in :47 flat July 1.
Prairie Meadows, Friday, July 12, 2019, Race 8Entries: Iowa Stallion Futurity
PP
Horse
Jockey
Wgt
Trainer
M/L
1
Mafia Don (IA)
Alberto Pusac
115
Timothy E. Martin
-
2
Ginger Rules (IA)
Walter De La Cruz
115
Dick R. Clark
-
3
Southgate (OK)
David Cabrera
115
Scott E. Young
-
4
Ready Or Not (IA)
Kevin Roman
115
Kelly R. Von Hemel
-
5
Our Vision (OK)
Floyd Wethey, Jr.
115
Scott E. Young
-
6
Years Fly By (IA)
Alex L. Canchari
115
H. Ray Ashford, Jr.
-
7
Ranhita (IA)
Alex Birzer
114
Lynn Chleborad
-
8
Allen's Rocket (IA)
Ramon A. Vazquez
115
Lynn Chleborad
-
9
Go Admiral Go (IA)
Ken S. Tohill
115
Kevin Eikleberry
-
10
Autumn Aspen (IA)
Luis A. Fuentes
112
Ray E. Tracy, Jr.
-
