Rail draw may challenge Tin Badge

Figuring out what kind of race the $60,000 Iowa Stallion Futurity actually is appears to be a more difficult task than figuring out who will win the race Friday night at Prairie Meadows.

The race is for 2-year-olds, that much is clear, but it is not restricted to Iowa-breds, or even to horses sired by stallions who stand in Iowa. Rather, horses are made eligible when their sires are nominated to an auction held by the Iowa

Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association. Any horse by a nominated sire can become eligible for the stallion-stakes series at Prairie Meadows if his owner adheres to a schedule of payments.

Got it? Good. Now, on to the race.

Tin Badge actually is an Iowabred, a gelding by The Deputy whose lone start produced the best performance any of the eight 2-year-olds in Friday night’s 5 1/2-furlong race have produced. Racing in an Iowabred maiden sprint last month, Tin Badge showed good early speed, took control on the far turn, and went on to a six-length victory.

But where Tin Badge got a cozy outside pressing trip last start, this time he must break from the rail, and things could turn more challenging. His chief rival appears to be drawn just outside him, One Last Empress, a Daaher filly who was a troubled fourth debuting May 28 before a breakthrough win in her second start July 1.

But Tin Badge appears to have sufficient speed to clear potential pace rivals Runforusrun and Blushing Scarlett, and with an alert break under Glen Corbett, Tin Badge probably will lead all the way as the favorite. Things might be just that simple in a race the nature of which is difficult to understand.