Headache rallies in Cornhusker Handicap

Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey’s Headache, expertly handled by an energetic Miguel Mena, saved ground from his inside post for six furlongs, moved off the rail on the far turn, and was angled five wide into the stretch to rally for an emphatic 2 1/2-length victory over the game 9-5 favorite Awesome Gem in the Grade 3, $300,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap on Saturday evening.

Trained by Mike Maker, Headache ($11), an attractive 5-year-old grey gelded son of Tapit, reached new heights by taking his first graded stakes win and the $180,000 first-place purse. The former $25,000 claimer proved he could develop into a force to be reckoned with in this year's wide-open older male handicap division.

Following the win, Maker said he “wasn't concerned” with Headache’s position toward the rear of the 11-horse field when he saw “the lively fractions” being set by the eventual third-place finisher, the Alexis Barba-trained Hollywood Park shipper Victory Pete.