NEWS
Hightap surges to win Iowa Oaks,
Duke of Mischief takes Iowa Derby
Posted: Saturday, June 27, 2009 2:47 PM
by Mike Curry
Five horses were positioned with a legitimate shot to win near the eighth pole in the $200,000 Iowa Oaks (G3) on Friday night at Prairie Meadows Racetrack, but Hightap finished best of all to prevail by three-quarters of a length (video).
Hightap was reserved in fifth then fourth in the 1 1/16-mile race for three-year-old fillies. Shaun Bridgmohan angled Hightap four wide entering the stretch and she overpowered 8-to-5 favorite Hooh Why when roused and held off runner-up Sweet Relish and third-place finisher Peach Brew to secure her second graded stakes win.
The Tapit filly entered off a 3 1/4-length score in the Dogwood Stakes (G3) on May 30 at Churchill Downs for trainer Steve Asmussen and owners Winchell Thoroughbreds and Gainesway Thoroughbreds.
Hightap completed the distance in 1:44 on a track rated as fast to improve to four wins and one second in six career starts.
Don’ttalktome set the pace thought a half-mile in :46.53 but gave way when challenged by Grade 1 winner Hooh Why approaching the stretch. Hightap reeled in Hooh Why with a steady rally and was fully extended to win for the fourth time in five starts this year.
Bred in Kentucky by Springland Farm, Hightap is out of the Regal Classic mare Don’tellmichelle, a half sister to Canadian classic winner Lodge Hill.
Stakes winner Sweet Relish edged stakes winner Peach Brew by a neck for second. Hooh Why flattened out in the final sixteenth and finished fourth.
Duke of Mischief wins injury-marred Iowa Derby
Duke of Mischief shook free to a dominant victory in the $250,000 Iowa Derby on Friday night at Prairie Meadows, driving to a five-length win at odds of 13.60-to-1 under Eibar Coa (video).
The Graeme Hall colt completed 1 1/8 miles in 1:42.86 to secure his first career stakes win for trainer David Fawkes and owners Alex and JoAnn Lieblong, CLS Racing, and breeder Marilyn McMaster.
The Iowa Derby was marred by the breakdown of Grade 3 winner and betting favorite Terrain, who was pulled up on the backstretch with catastrophic injuries to his right front leg and subsequently was euthanized.
Duke of Mischief finished second earlier this season in the Dayton Andrews Dodge Sophomore Turf Stakes on the grass at Tampa Bay Downs. He entered the Iowa Derby off an 11 3/4-length romp in a one-mile allowance race on a sloppy track at Calder Race Course on May 30 in only his second start on the main track.
Fawkes kept Duke of Mischief on the main track for the Iowa Derby, and the decision paid off with a convincing victory. He saved ground while stalking pacesetter Red Lead from fifth then fourth through a half-mile in :49.13. Duke of Mischief accelerated when roused and took charge, powering clear to win easily.
A half brother to Grade 3 winner Lord Robyn, Duke of Mischief is out of the winning Real Courage mare My Lady Amelia. He improved to three wins in six career starts and boosted his earnings to $203,925.
Soul Warrior finished three-quarters of a length clear of Red Lead for second. Moonport finished fourth as the 2.90-to-1 second wagering choice.
Also on Friday’s card, Lady Chace held off runner-up Nadeshiko by a head to win the $100,000 Saylorville Stakes, completing six furlongs in 1:08.92 to post her first career stakes win.
For Equibase charts, click here.
Mike Curry is a Thoroughbred Times TODAY editor
