Contentious fields abundant in Prairie stakes

Part one of a two-turn experiment with EUROEARS (Langfuhr) nearly worked to

perfection in the April 24 Texas Mile (G3), when the swift six-year-old veteran

tired only in the final yards to miss by a neck to Mythical Power (Congaree).

However, after a 13 1/4-length dusting in the subsequent Lone Star Park H. (G3)

over 1 1/16 miles, it will be back to basics for the Bret Calhoun charge in

Friday's $125,000

Iowa

Sprint H. at Prairie Meadows.

The six-furlong dash is one of three stakes on the evening card, which

precedes Saturday's lucrative program that includes the Prairie Meadows

Cornhusker H. (G2), Iowa Derby (G3) and Iowa Oaks (G3).

Though a four-time stakes winner, Euroears has yet to notch a significant win

outside Fair Grounds, and will be hard-pressed to make his first visit to the

winner's circle since the November 26 Thanksgiving H. Favoritism in the Iowa

Sprint will likely fall on ATTA BOY ROY (Tribunal), the upset winner of the

Churchill Downs S. (G2), who validated that form with a solid second in the

Aristides S. (G3). After a poor start, Atta Boy Roy was rushed into contention

by Calvin Borel, but faded late after the early exertion.

CASH REFUND (Petionville), who had just one loss in six starts prior to the

Aristides, was a subpar third as the 6-5 favorite in that race following a wide

trip. An impressive two-time stakes winner at Fair Grounds over the winter, the

gelding is capable of rebounding. Perhaps the one to fear most of all from

Kentucky is MAJESTICPERFECTION (Harlan's Holiday), a Steve Asmussen-trained colt

who's notched three straight since a debut third at Fair Grounds in January. His

last two against allowance company have come by margins of 10 3/4 and four

lengths and were awarded BRIS Speed ratings of 107 and 105, respectively.

Horses with local experience make up most of the other major candidates.

Among these are HUMBLE DESTIN (Storm and a Half), EZ DREAMER (In Excess [Ire])

and AMERICAN CLASSIC (Distorted Humor), the top three from the May 22 Prairie

Express S. A wild card is Emerald Downs shipper PEACEFUL REIGN (Liberty Gold),

who is sure to play a role in the expected blistering pace.

Only six fillies and mares were entered for the $100,000

Iowa

Distaff at 1 1/16 miles. Defending champion EUPHONY (Forest Wildcat) hasn't

won since taking this event last year, though she did show signs of her old form

when third in the Arlington Matron H. (G3) most recently. However, she will have

to fend off the multiple Grade 1-placed WYNNING RIDE (Candy Ride [Arg]), who

missed by less than a length in the Milady H. (G2) at Hollywood Park last time

and in the 2009 Coaching Club American Oaks (G1), her penultimate start on dirt.

Others of note are the top three finishers from the course-and-distance Wild

Rose S. CHORAGUS (Harlan's Holiday) won that May 29 feature by a length over

PATTI'S REGAL SONG (Unbridled's Song), with HIGHTAP (Tapit) three lengths

farther back. The latter took the Iowa Oaks last year and might fare better if

the pace is stronger Friday night.

Seven fillies and mares will go six furlongs in the $100,000

Saylorville S., which is led by six-time stakes winner PALANKA CITY (Carson

City). The consistent five-year-old showed excellent form at Oaklawn over the

winter and enters off an overnight handicap score at Fairmount Park, operated by

the mare's owner William Stiritz. SECRET GYPSY (Sea of Secrets), winless since

taking the Distaff H. (G2) in March 2009, was an upset second in the Winning

Colors S. (G3) last time and should receive strong support.

MINDY QUEEN (Indy King) has won nine of 14 lifetime, including the Prairie

Rose S. most recently, while another Emerald invader, NO FLIES ON DOODLE (Storm

Blast), enters on a three-race winning streak. Taking on her elders, and dirt,

for the first time is MISS HEATHER LEE (Trippi), best known for her distant

second-place finish behind Blind Luck (Pollard's Vision) in the December 20

Hollywood Starlet S. (G1).