Former claimer Navajo Warrior became a dual graded stakes winner July 11 when he captured the $300,000 Cornhusker Handicap (G3) at Prairie Meadows by an authoritative 3 1/2 lengths.
The son of Candy Ride surged to the lead out of post 7 of eight, quickly opening up on his rivals in the 1 1/8-mile race. He led the pack through swift opening fractions of :23.52 and :46.82 under Micah Husbands. Bullard and Cornishman followed distantly behind the leader.
Coming into the stretch, Bullard put in a game effort, but proved no match for the winner. Navajo Warrior finished a confident 3 1/2 lengths in front of Bullard. Grade 2 winner and millionaire Gigante got up for third.
The final time for the race was 1:48.07. Navajo Warrior paid $5.20 to win.
The 5-year-old gelding entered Saturday's race off a win in the Pimlico Special Stakes (G3) May 15 at Laurel Park.
Under the tutelage of trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., Navajo Warrior has elevated himself out of the claiming division and into graded stakes company for owners BAG Racing Stables, Miller Racing, Dr. Derek Paul, Mathis Stable, Paul Braverman, and Timothy Pinch. Following the Cornhusker, he improved his record to 10-2-2 from 18 starts, and has a current bankroll of $632,009.
Navajo Warrior was bred in Kentucky by Hinkle Farms and is out of the Storm Cat mare Crosswinds, making him a half brother to 2016 Ashland Stakes (G1) winner Weep No More. He is one of four graded stakes winners this year by Candy Ride, who stood the 2026 season at Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Ky., for a $60,000 fee.
Video: Prairie Meadows Cornhusker H. (G3)
J J Grey Prevails in Iowa Derby Stakes
Shamrock Stables, MJM Racing, and Magdalena Racing's J J Grey went wire-to-wire in the $250,000 Iowa Derby, winning by 1 3/4 lengths over graded stakes-placed The Hell We Did.
The 3-year-old Street Boss colt set the pace through fractions of :23.84, :47.95, and 1:12.09. Approaching the 3/16 pole, he drew clear of his rivals to stop the clock in 1:43.17 for the 1 1/16-mile race. He paid $5 to win.
J J Grey was bred in Kentucky by Dermot Carty and purchased by Laitse Mois Ou as a weanling for $24,000 at the 2023 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.
He won the Prairie Mile Stakes in his last outing June 13 by 3 3/4 lengths for trainer Kenny McPeek. The colt has won five of his 10 career starts and has banked earnings totaling $346,988.
