Iris Royal Jess, under jockey Lucas Constantin, prevaled in the $121,850 Polk County Derby at Prairie Meadows on Saturday.

ALTOONA, IA—OCTOBER 13, 2018—The post-time favorite and fastest qualifier, Iris Royal Jess and jockey Lucas Constantin prevailed by nearly a length in the $121,850 Polk County Derby at Prairie Meadows on Saturday. Final time for the 400-yard final was 20.026, and the winner earned an 87 speed index.

Iris Royal Jess ($3.80) is a 3-year-old gelded son of Captain Courage, out of Pure Royal Dash, by Pure D Dash. He is owned by Alex Wessels and was bred in Iowa by B/B Wessels LLC. Warren Garrels trains.

Iris Royal Jess won his trial, the second of two on September 29, defeating Sfs Silver Lining and posting the fastest overall time.

The final marked the gelding’s fourth straight win and fifth win in seven career starts. He qualified for the $174,000 Jim Bader Futurity as a 2-year-old and finished second behind Lil Black Wagon. His career earnings now exceed $120,000.

The second choice of the wagering public gained ground to finish second in the final. Rakin in Jo and David Brown edged out Sfs Silver Lining by a nose for trainer Wayne Garner and owner Lisa Baumeister. Wayne Garner also bred the filly in Iowa, by Lil Kool Wagon and out of Chargin to the Lead, by Special Leader.

Rakin in Jo is a multiple stakes winner whose career accomplishments to date include victories in the Iowa Stallion Derby and Iowa Stallion Futurity. She has never finished out of the money in six career starts at Prairie Meadows, also home to all of her career wins.

Third place finisher Sfs Silver Lining was the second fastest qualifier to the final. Jonathan Dominguez rode the 3-year-old filly for trainer Stacy Belt and owner Sunflower Stables LLC. She is by Fantastic Corona Jr and is out of the Mr Eye Opener mare Eye Speed Too, bred in Iowa by Craig Kirby.

Sfs Silver Lining also qualified for the Iowa Double Gold Derby in September but is still in search of her first career stakes victory.

Completing the field were The Polar Vortex, Let Bull Fly, Lil Black Wagon, Sweet Twisted Tea, Who Rah and Shake It for Deb. Jess Summertime was scratched.

About Prairie Meadows
Prairie Meadows began operations as a nonprofit organization in 1989 with the goal of promoting economic development, jobs, agriculture, and tourism in the state of Iowa. Through taxes, grants, and charitable donations, Prairie Meadows has given more than $1.6 billion to the state of Iowa. Prairie Meadows offers more than 1,700 slot machines, table games, live and simulcast racing, hotel accommodations, entertainment, and more.