Hence Seeks Rebound at Prairie Meadows

Calumet Farm homebred Hence (Street Boss) generated significant buzz ahead of the GI Kentucky Derby after notching a convincing win in the Mar. 26 GIII Sunland Derby–a race that subsequently yielded GI Toyota Blue Grass S. hero Irap (Tiznow) and GI Arkansas Derby runner-up Conquest Mo Money (Uncle Mo). Hence was unable to deliver beneath the Twin Spires, however, spinning his wheels in an 11th-place finish over a sealed strip and followed with an equally disappointing ninth-place performance in the May 20 GI Preakness S. The handsome chestnut has an opportunity to stabilize facing a far more manageable field Friday night in the GIII Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows as the 5-1 fourth choice on the morning line. Conditioned by Hall of Famer Steve Asmussen, Hence has posted five workouts at Churchill Downs in the wake of his Preakness run.

NK Racing's $400,000 OBSMAR purchase Impressive Edge (Harlan's Holiday) comes to Altoona off a third-place finish behind undefeated 'TDN Rising Star' Timeline (Hard Spun) in the GIII Peter Pan S. at Belmont May 13 and will get his second chance to navigate a two-turn trip after finishing fourth in the Apr. 1 GI Florida Derby. Rail-drawn morning line favorite Petrov (Flatter), representing Rialto Racing Stables and trainer Ron Moquett, is similarly winless over a route of ground, but was a good second behind unbeaten One Liner (Into Mischief) in the GIII Southwest S. at Oaklawn Feb. 20. He was last seen closing belatedly to be fourth in the GII Woody Stephens S. at seven furlongs June 10.

Ian Wilkes has been in the national 3-year-old spotlight for the first half of 2017 with Whitham Thoroughbreds' 'TDN Rising Star' McCraken, and he sends out a new face to the stakes ranks Friday night in McCormick (Hard Spun) for the same connections. The progressive bay has won two straight races over the main track at Churchill Downs, including a career-top score traveling a one-turn mile there June 4.

Prairie Meadows Race Coverage:

Please note that due to the 10:50pm E.T. post time of Thursday night's GIII Iowa Oaks and Friday night's GIII Iowa Derby, the races will be covered in the Saturday and Sunday editions of the TDN, respectively. Check thetdn.com Thursday and Friday after the races to read about the winners.