Prairie Meadows Cornhusker

TRACK BANDIT PREVIEWS

MY PAL CHARLIE (Indian Charlie) registered an impressive 110 BRIS Speed

rating for his 4 1/4-length score in the 1 1/8-mile Super Derby (G2) last

September, and the four-year-old colt rates top billing in Saturday night's

$300,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker H. (G2). The Al Stall Jr. trainee has made

his last three starts around one turn, recording a fast-finishing fourth in the

Metropolitan H. (G1) most recently, and he's run well in those starts while not

winning, posting century-topping BRIS Speed and Late Pace numbers. He won't face

the stiffest competition in this spot and is favorably drawn in post 2 with

Robby Albarado.

SECRET GETAWAY (Skip Away) displayed solid form over the winter for Michael

Stidham, recording a win and two runner-up finishes in a four-race stretch

versus stakes rivals, and he's been freshened off a fourth in the Oaklawn H.

(G2) in early April. The four-year-old colt ran well off a similar rest last

year, notching a career-best 102 BRIS Speed rating for a neck second in the

Ontario Derby, and we'll look for a strong showing from the stalker here. Kent

Desormeaux, who guided him to a runner-up finish in the New Orleans H. (G2) two

back, will return to the saddle aboard the win contender.

VICTORY PETE (Five Star Day) has raced exclusively on turf or synthetics, but

we give him a solid chance if he handles the dirt. Freshened off a game turf

allowance score at Hollywood Park, the Alexis Barbara pupil owns good BRIS Speed

ratings and the right running style to sit a perfect stalking trip off what

figures to be a contested pace up front. Jockey Jose Valdivia will be in to ride

the hard-trying four-year-old, and Victory Pete gets in light at 112 pounds. He

can make his presence felt in the stretch if he handles the footing.

JONESBORO (Sefapiano), a terrific head second in the 1 1/16-mile Lone Star

Park H. (G3) last out, is listed as the 7-2 favorite on the morning line, but we

feel he's a little vulnerable here. The seven-year-old drew the far outside post

and could get caught wide with plenty of speed to his inside, and he's never

finished first or second in five previous attempts at the distance. He remains a

viable top three candidate given his strong present form.

WAYZATA BAY (Roar) upset this event at 38-1 last year and is a six-time

stakes winner over the oval, so we won't be shocked to see him suddenly come to

life off a lively pace, but he turned in a dull effort last time over the

track and has earned poor Speed ratings in his last five starts. He's too much

of a question mark for us to back with any confidence, but the late runner

merits consideration for the bottom of the exotics.

SHADOWDANCING (Montbrook) is a confirmed front runner, winning his last two

starts at 8 1/2 furlongs in commendable fashion, and we respect his triple-digit

Speed ratings in those efforts. However, he has a bunch of speed to his inside

and will likely have a difficult time cutting out a comfortable trip on the

front end in his first start at 1 1/8 miles. RED HOT N GOLD (Gold Case) will

enter in good form for Kelly Von Hemel, recording a two-length, wire-to-wire

score over the track in the Cyclone H. last out, but the Iowa-bred gelding will

be stepping up to face open rivals with lower Speed ratings to his credit. The

distance is another obstacle. STONEHOUSE (Chester House) recorded three straight

wins on dirt prior to a fifth on Polytrack in the Hanshin Cup H. (G3) last out.

The front runner figures to show speed from the rail under Perry Compton, but he

probably isn't fast enough to show way. The Illinois-bred faces a class check at

an unproven route of ground.