A return to dirt and the longer 1 1/8-mile distance on Friday night worked to the advantage of Sir Anthony, who sprung an upset in the $300,000 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker H. (G3) under jockey Pedro Cotto Jr.
Fourth in the Hanshin Cup (G3) over the Polytrack at Arlington in his most recent start, Sir Anthony reprised the form that saw him win the Harlan’s Holiday (G3) and place in the $100,000 Skip Away at Gulfstream Park last winter, edging second choice Dark Vader by a neck. Remembering Rita, who captured the 2018 Cornhusker, was a half-length behind in third after leading most of the way.
A homebred racing for Richard Otto, Sir Anthony is trained by Tony Mitchell. He returned $18.80 after completing the course over a fast track in 1:48.98.
An Illinois-bred son of Mineshaft and the multiple stakes-placed Mourette, by Smart Strike, Sir Anthony has now earned $409,230 from a line of 18-6-3-2.
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Lady Apple was narrowly favored over Ulele in the $200,000 Iowa Oaks (G3), and the bettors got it right when the Steve Asmussen trainee outgamed that foe by a half-length in the 1 1/16-mile heat.
Sent off as the even-money choice while Ulele was bet down to 11-10, Lady Apple was ridden by Ricardo Santana Jr. and covered the distance in 1:43.33. Owned by Phoenix Thoroughbred III and breeder KatieRich Stables, Lady Apple paid $4.
Lady Apple has won four of her past five, including the Fantasy (G3) at Oaklawn Park. Her only setback during the span had been a third-place effort in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) in her most recent start.
A Kentucky-bred daughter of Curlin, Lady Apple has now bankrolled $685,950 from a line of 9-4-2-1.
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In the $250,000 Iowa Derby, second-place finisher Top Line Growth was elevated to victory after Winning Number, who led throughout, was disqualified and placed third for interfering with Shang during the stretch run.
Owned by The Elkstone Group and trained by Kelly Rubley, the Maryland-based Top Line Growth paid $9.60. He was ridden by Julian Pimentel.
This was the first stakes win for the Maryland-bred son of Tapizar, who had won twice at Laurel but had run last of five in his only prior stakes appearance in the $100,000 Sir Barton on the Preakness Day undercard at Pimlico.
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In a field reduced to three due to scratches, the $90,000 Iowa Sprint H. saw D’Rapper prevail over odds-on choice Share the Upside by 1 1/4 lengths after a prolonged duel.
Owned by Danny Caldwell, trained by Federico Villafranco, and ridden by Ramon Vasquez, D’Rapper covered six furlongs in 1:08.78 and returned $6.20.
