Successful Dan comes to Prairie Meadows for Cornhusker Handicap
Trained by Charles Lopresti, Successful Dan is all set to pursue success in the $300,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap, taking place at Iowa this weekend. Daily Racing Form’s Mike Watchmaker recently rated the 6-year-old as the fifth-best older horse
in the country and he looks to be the standout runner in the Grade 3 event.
Successful Dan has been pretty impressive since his debut. He started his career with three consecutive triumphs in 2009. The dashing runner recorded his second hat-trick the following year, when the spectators at Keeneland saw him doing a wonderful job.
The Morton Fink-owned is geared up to accomplish the feat for the third time after a couple of wonderful triumphs earlier this season. After topping the table at Keeneland in the hands of J. Leparoux, the maverick runner continued the good work, when running
in the Grade 2 Alysheba at Churchill Downs. Although Fort Larned tried to spoil his party, Successful Dan managed to retain his advantage till the wire.
Bred in Kentucky by Morton Fink, the gelding is full of confidence following two back-to-back wins and seems to be the most fascinating contestant in the mega event. Charlie Lopresti’s charge has won eight of his 11 starts and looks to be improving with
every passing day.
On Prairie Meadows’ dirt, he will face five quality runners over 1 1/8 miles. Among his rivals are: Taptowne, Shadowbdancing, Fort Larned, Awesome Gem and Headache.
Taptowne is coming into this race after displaying a couple of unimpressive shows. After finishing fifth in the Grade 3 Hanshin Cup, the 4-year-old colt failed to get his act together and could only secure the fifth place in the Sea O Erin.
Similarly, Shadowbdancing has been unlucky since the start of this year. After narrowly missing the crown behind Taptowne in the Cryptoclearance, the 7-year-old kept making mistakes and as a result, completed the order of finish at Fonner Park in April.
Fort Larned was terrible in his previous appearance, ending up eighth in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs earlier this month. Likewise, Awesome Gem was not awesome last time out. With most of his rivals struggling with their form, it
will be an easy outing for Successful Dan.
Tags: