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Wayzata Bay leads Cornhusker longshot parade Though hardly a stranger to the Prairie Meadows winner's circle, World Thoroughbred Racing's WAYZATA BAY (Roar) found himself, at 38-1, the least fancied runner in a field of seven in the $295,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker H. (G2) on Saturday night. Despite stumbling at the start, Wayzata Bay was well positioned in third for the opening half-mile, made a sweeping three-wide move around the far turn, and decisively pulled away to register a 3 1/2-length score under Israel Ocampo. Wayzata Bay, who covered 1 1/8 miles over a fast track in 1:48 2/5, paid $78.80, $16.80 and $6 and topped the exotics of $476.40 (exacta) and $1,308 (3-5-4 trifecta). The scratch of likely pacesetter Fairbanks (Giant's Causeway) paved the way for Encaustic (Broad Brush) and Temporary Saint (Awesome Again) to duel early, with the former maintaining a head advantage through splits of :23 4/5 and :47 2/5. As Encaustic began to tire from his early exertion, Wayzata Bay commenced his bold move from third and was within a head of Temporary Saint as that rival hit the three-quarter mark in 1:11 3/5. Through the stretch, Wayzata Bay was in full control as he knocked out a mile in 1:35 4/5 and extended his lead to the wire. Sumac (Crafty Prospector), the second longest shot at 21-1, rallied from near the back to claim second by a length over the 2-1 Temporary Saint. Sumac returned $18.40 and $5.20 while Temporary Saint rewarded his backers with $3.80. Zanjero (Cherokee Run), the 6-5 choice, offered no bid and finished fourth, and was followed under the line by Prom Shoes (Include), Delightful Kiss (Kissin Kris) and Encaustic. Wayzata Bay was making his eighth career trip to the Prairie Meadows winner's circle, and his 11th overall. A six-time stakes winner prior to the Cornhusker, Wayzata Bay had struggled in previous graded outings, including a fifth-place effort in the 2007 Cornhusker. His most recent triumph had occurred in the Challenger S. at Tampa Bay Downs on March 8, and he later finished second in both the Bosselman/Gus Fonner S. and Jim Rasmussen Memorial S. prior to upsetting the Cornhusker. Trained by Judi Hicklin, Wayzata Bay improved his career record to 42-11-8-3 with earnings of $570,748. Bred in Kentucky by Good Genes Farm, Wayzata Bay is the first foal from the winning Personal Flag mare Beauty Is, who has also produced Kimber Lily, an unraced two-year-old filly by Sunday Break (Jpn), and an unnamed yearling filly by Johannesburg.
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