Friday Night Roundup-Iowa Festival of Racing
Trainer Anthony Granitz and jockey Israel Ocampo aboard Yournotthebossofme could not have invisioned the Saylorville Stakes going any smoother had you asked them to map it out on paper. Reduced to a field of 3 after heavy rains and high heat caused 5 of the 8 entrants to scratch, Speedacious with Miguel Mena and Starlight Starbrite with David Mello tore off in a rapid speed dual of 21.63. Speedacious opened up a 1 ½ length lead after a ½ mile in 44.42, but as Starlite Starbrite started to retreat, Yournotthebossofme started reeling in the front runners.
“The plan was to lay off the pace, let them kill each other and come running late,” said Ocampo.
Yournotthebossofme drew off to win by 2 ¼ lengths over Speedacious with another 19 ¼ lengths back to Starlite Starbrite for 3rd. Owned by World Thoroughbreds Racing Inc., she returned $14.60 as the longest shot in the field.
Brushed By A Star Shines in Iowa Distaff
What looked like a 3-horse race on paper, turned into a 1-horse race in the Iowa Distaff as Brushed By A Star, under jockey Corey Nakatani, romped to an 11 ¼ length victory. Sitting 3rd early, Brushed By A Star overtook Bella Road and 1/5 favorite Sterling Madame on the backstretch and never looked back. The Prairie Meadows strip was hit with heavy rains prior to the night’s racing, which was beneficial to front runners in most races.
“We knew she liked an off track, and Corey rode her perfectly, like he always does,” said trainer Grant Forster.
Brushed By A Star is owned by Team Forster and returned $9.80 to her backers. Someplace Else and Another World rounded out the trifecta.
Wiredfortwotwenty Wires the Iowa Sprint
Wiredfortwotwenty broke on top and never looked back in the Iowa Sprint. Ridden by Jake Barton, the 7-year-old gelding set fractions of 21.77 and 44.02 before stopping the clock in 108.12 on the muddy track. Approaching the top of the stretch, 2/5 favorite Rothko was cutting into the lead, but as the field straightened for the drive Wiredfortwotwenty had another gear and drew off to win by 2 lengths over Rothko. Warning Song was another 3 lengths back in 3rd. Trained by Bart Hone, Wiredfortwotwenty returned $9.60 to his backers and $75,000 to his owners, Class Racing Stable.
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