Royal Candy King, under jockey Angel Ramiez, posted the fastest time from five trials contested Saturday at Prairie Meadows for the $191,200 Jim Bader Futurity for accredited Iowa-bred 2-year-olds.

© Jack Coady Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

ALTOONA, IA—SEPTEMBER 6, 2025—Five trials were contested on Saturday at Prairie Meadows to determine the field for the $191,200 Jim Bader Futurity for accredited Iowa-bred 2-year-olds.

The ten fastest qualifiers from the 350-yard heats will return for the final on Saturday, September 27.

Setting the fastest qualifying time of the afternoon was Royal Candy King, a gelded son of champion sire Jess Good Candy out of Tell Her Shes Queen, by Teller Cartel.

Ridden by Angel O. Ramirez for trainer Alex Wessels, Royal Candy King powered to a 17.643 clocking, a 91 speed index with a 6 mph tailwind, while drawing away by 1¼ lengths in the last of five trials.

Bred and owned by Summer Hill Farm LLC, the bay gelding kept his perfect 3-for-3 record with an authoritative win and will head into the final as the one to beat. He has earned $29,882

The second-fastest qualifier was Takin It To Go, a homebred gelding by Inseperable out of Takin Okey Dokey, by Okey Dokey Dale. Owned and bred by Lisa Goedken and James R. Steger, and trained by Lisa, Takin' It To Go posted a 17.846 mark while holding off a late challenge under jockey Martin Lazalde.

The brown gelding showed sharp speed early and maintained his advantage to break his maiden while securing his spot in the final. He was second on both his previous starts.

Rounding out the top three qualifiers was Ts Daddys Girl, a filly by multiple stakes sire Big Daddy Cartel out of Jess Wild For You, by Mr Jess Perry. Ridden by Miguel Josue Ramirez for trainer William S. Harris, Ts Daddys Girl stopped the clock in :17.866, just a head behind Takin It To Go.

Winless in three starts and bred and owned by Thomas J. Scheckel, the filly displayed a solid closing kick and is expected to be a strong contender in the final.

The ten fastest qualifiers from Saturday’s trials will return to Prairie Meadows on September 27 to compete for a share of the $191,200 purse in the Jim Bader Futurity, which will again be run at 350 yards. CLICK HERE for the complete lists including connections, times and breeding.

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