Turfway: Wolfie’s Dynaghost holds on to win Prairie Bayou

Well-traveled Grade 2 winner Wolfie’s Dynaghost returned to Turfway Park on Saturday night and held off a late bid of Cellist to win the 28th running of the $125,000 Prairie Bayou Stakes.

Wolfie’s Dynaghost, who triumphed in the March running of the Kentucky Cup Classic at Turfway, completed 1 1/16 miles on the Tapeta track in 1:43.51 under jockey Tyler Conner for trainer Jonathan Thomas.

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The speedy Wolfie’s Dynaghost, owned by Woodslane Farm, had no early pace pressure as the field broke from the starting gate. Conner was able to rate the 5-year-old gelding through composed, early quarter-mile fractions of 24.17 and 47.27 seconds.

Around the second turn, Wolfie’s Dynaghost extended his lead to two lengths, clipping through six furlongs in 1:10.87. However, in the stretch, he began to get leg weary and had to hold off the big, late strides of Cellist. He dug down deep and held off his rival by a final margin of a head.

Wolfie’s Dynaghost was well-backed in the wagering and closed as the 4-5 favorite, returning $2 mutuels of $3.98, $2.98 and $2.58. Cellist, under Martín García, paid $7.14 and $3.76. It was another 4 1/4 lengths back to Hush of a Storm in third and a return of $3.56.

Like the King, who won the 2021 Jeff Ruby Steaks (G3) at Turfway, completed the superfecta and was followed in order by Kitodan, Tiz the Bomb, Leave It to Kitten and Ocean Atlantique.

Wolfie’s Dynaghost banked $74,814 for his victory in the Prairie Bayou to improve his overall earnings to $923,719. His career record stands at 25: 10-2-5.

The winner is a son of Ghostzapper out of the Dynaformer mare Dynaire. He was bred in Kentucky by his owner.

Thomas said Saturday morning on Horse Racing Radio Network that Wolfie’s Dynaghost likely would receive some time off before his 6-year-old campaign and could defend his title in the Kentucky Cup Classic.

Next year’s Prairie Bayou Stakes was 1 of 4 local stakes that were upgraded by the American Graded Stakes Committee. The race will be a listed event along with the Big Daddy and Latonia Stakes. The Kentucky Cup Classic also received an upgrade from a listed race to a Grade 3.

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