Cornhusker Handicap

Grade II race
Cornhusker Handicap
Location	Prairie Meadows Altoona, Iowa
Inaugurated	1966
Race type	Thoroughbred - Flat racing
Website	www.prairiemeadows.com
Race information
Distance	1⅛ miles (9 furlongs)
Track	Dirt, left-handed
Qualification	Three-year-olds and up
Weight	Handicap
Purse	$300,000

The Cornhusker Handicap is an American Grade II thoroughbred horse race held annually at the end of June at Prairie Meadows racetrack in Altoona, Iowa. The race is open to horses age three years and older and currently offers a purse of $300,000. Raced at a distance of 1⅛ miles on the dirt, prior to 1974 it was run at 11/16 miles.

Inaugurated in 1966, the Cornhusker Handicap was originally run at the Ak-Sar-Ben Racetrack in Omaha, Nebraska which closed in 1995. The first edition was won by Royal Gunner who was ridden by Bill Hartack.

Julie Krone was the first female jockey to compete in the Cornhusker Handicap and the first female jockey to win it when she captured the 1988 edition aboard Palace March.

Records

Time record: (at current distance of 1⅛ miles)

• 1:46.63 - Roses in May (2004)

Most wins:

• 2 - Vale of Tears (1968, 1969) and Joey Bob, (1972, 1973)

Most wins by a jockey:

• 4 - L. J. Durousseau (1967, 1968, 1969, 1970)

Winners of the Cornhusker Breeders' Cup Handicap since 1988

Year	Winner	Age	Jockey	Trainer	Owner	Time
2011	Headache	5	Miguel Mena	Mike Maker	Ken and Sarah Ramsey	1:47.83
2010	Shadowbdancing	5	Eddie Razo	Terrel Gore	Robert & Nancy Bartels	1:48.24
2009	Jonesboro	7	Clifton Berry	Randy Morse	Michael Langford	1:48.01
2008	Wayzata Bay	6	Israel Ocampo	Judi Hicklin	World Thoroughbreds Racing	1:48.47
2007	Dry Martini	4	Elvis Trujillo	Barclay Tagg	Carol & George Nyren	1:48.41
2006	Siphon City	4	Elvis Trujillo	Daniel C. Hurtak	Ray J. Larkin	1:47.76
2005	Lord of the Game	4	Eusebio Razo, Jr.	Tommy Tomillo	William Slevin	1:49.94
2004	Roses in May	4	Mark Guidry	Dale L. Romans	Ken & Sarah Ramsey	1:46.63
2003	Tenpins	5	Robby Albarado	Donald Winfree	Joseph V. Vitello	1:48.39
2002	Mr John	4	Mark Guidry	Elliott Walden	Thomas F. Van Meter, Jr.	1:47.97
2001	Euchre	5	Garrett K. Gomez	Robert J. Frankel	Stronach Stables	1:47.72
2000	Sir Bear	7	Eibar Coa	Ralph Ziadie	Barbara Smollin	1:48.49
1999	Nite Dreamer	4	Robby Albarado	Niall O'Callaghan	Henry E. Pabst	1:48.85
1998	Beboppin Baby	5	Jesse Campbell	Joe Kasperski, Jr.	Lawrence Karp	1:46.62
1997	Semoran	4	David Flores	Bob Baffert	Donald Dizney/James English	1:48.47
1996	no race
1995	Powerful Punch	6	Curt Bourque	Harvey L. Vanier	Russell L. Reineman	1:49.80
1994	Zeeruler	6	Robert N. Lester	Donnie Von Hemel	John A. Franks	1:50.20
1993	Link	5	Ronald Ardoin	Tom Amoss	Stewart Madison	1:50.40
1992	Irish Swap	5	Bruce Poyadou	Joseph E. Broussard	Randall Hendricks	1:47.80
1991	Black Tie Affair	5	Pat Day	Ernie T. Poulos	Jeff Sullivan	1:48.60
1990	Dispersal	4	Jorge Velasquez	Bud Delp	Tom Meyerhoff	1:50.00
1989	Blue Buckaroo	6	Shane Sellers	Harvey L. Vanier	Russell L. Reineman	1:49.40
1988	Palace March	4	Julie Krone	William I. Mott	Bertram R. Firestone	1:49.00

Earlier winners

• 1998 - Beboppin Baby
• 1997 - Semoran
• 1995 - Powerful Punch
• 1994 - Zeeruler
• 1993 - Link
• 1992 - Irish Swap
• 1991 - Black Tie Affair
• 1990 - Dispersal
• 1989 - Blue Buckaroo
• 1988 - Palace March
• 1987 - Bolshoi Boy

• 1986 - Gourami
• 1985 - Gate Dancer
• 1984 - Timeless Native
• 1983 - Win Stat
• 1982 - Recusant
• 1981 - Summer Advocate
• 1980 - Hold Your Tricks
• 1979 - Star de Naskra
• 1978 - True Statement
• 1977 - Private Thoughts
• 1976 - Dragset

• 1975 - Stonewalk
• 1973 - Joey Bob
• 1972 - Joey Bob
• 1971 - Action Getter
• 1970 - Blazing Silk
• 1969 - Vale of Tears
• 1968 - Vale of Tears*
• 1968 - Ninfalo*
• 1967 - Single Needle
• 1966 - Royal Gunner

* The Cornhusker Handicap was divided into two divisions in 1968.