Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap
| Grade III race | |
| Location | Prairie Meadows Altoona, Iowa  |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1966 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 1+1⁄8 miles (9 furlongs) |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Track | left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds and up |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse | $300,000 |
The Cornhusker Handicap is an American Grade III thoroughbred horse race held annually at the end of June at Prairie Meadows 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 1+1⁄8 miles on the dirt, prior to 1974 it was run at 1+1⁄16 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 1+1⁄8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Golden Lad | 5 | Javier Castellano | Todd A. Pletcher | E. Paul Robsham Stables | 1:49.86 |
| 2014 | Carve | 4 | Jesus Lopez Castanon | Brad H. Cox | Michael Langford | 1:50.56 |
| 2013 | Prayer for Relief | 5 | Ricardo Santana, Jr. | Steven Asmussen | Zayat Stables | 1:49.96 |
| 2012 | Fort Larned | 4 | Brian Hernandez, Jr | Ian Wilkes | Janis Whitham | 1:47.42 |
| 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.