Cornhusker Handicap

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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.

[edit] 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)

[edit] Winners of the Cornhusker Breeders' Cup Handicap since 1999

Year	Winner	Age	Jockey	Trainer	Owner	Time
2007	Dry Martini	4	Elvis Trujillo	Barclay Tagg	C. & G. 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	K. & S. 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

[edit] Earlier winners

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