Mr. Prankster closed strongly and drew off to win the one-mile WEBN Stakes in his second race at two turns. The first one hadn't worked out quite so well.

Mr. Prankster overtook Phantom Fury and beat him by 7 1/2 lengths.  Phantom Fury was 2 1/4 lengths better than Magical Season in third.  The final time was 1:39.18.

In his only previous route race, the Grade II Kentucky Jockey Club at Churchill, Mr. Prankster was a thoroughly beaten last of 11.  

Mr. Prankster broke last from the far outside post, but not by much as the field of nine jumped out together.  Sunday Mass set the first quarter in :23.65 while pressed by Tiz Tee Time and Phantom Fury, and it was Phantom Fury who set the half-mile mark in :46.62.  Mr. Prankster settled inside in sixth nearly seven lengths off the lead, but he moved outside to make his move on the final turn, easily took the lead a few strides before the eighth pole, and drew off at will.

Completing the order of finish in the WEBN were Frankie Is Rock, Tiz Tee Time, Sunday Mass, Hand I Was Dealt, Tigerdude, and Texas Josh.  Antique Wedding scratched.

Mr. Prankster went off the 9-5 favorite and paid $5.80, $3.20, and $2.80.  Phantom Fury was the 2-1 second choice.

Mr. Prankster was bred in Kentucky by Colby Fields LLC, Greg Scherr, and Valorie Scherr.  Maker shares ownership with Tom Conway.  The colt now has three wins and two seconds in six career starts.  The winner’s share of the $50,000 WEBN purse boosted his career earnings to $118,372.

The WEBN Stakes is the second of three local preps for the Grade III Vinery Racing Spiral Stakes on March 24.  Mr. Prankster won the first local prep, the Turfway Prevue, and Maker expects to bring him back for the third, the John Battaglia Memorial on March 3.

Equibase chart

CONNECTIONS QUOTES

Trainer Mike Maker; “Yes, I was worried about the distance. But last time, he came off a layoff and he had some issues in-between.  And obviously the competition (in the Jockey Club) was stiffer than it was today. So I thought it was worth a shot today because, one, I’m half-owner and I stable here, and two, he ran well over the Polytrack at Presque Isle, so I thought I’d keep him here for the stakes and try (two turns) again.”

Jockey John McKee: “We all broke in one pack, and if I’m 12-wide around the turn, it’s not going to make me look any good. So I eased my horse back, let the speed go, and angled down to save some ground on the first turn.  Down the backside he was taking me wherever I wanted to go.  Turning for home I asked him, and he was there. He gave me two or three gears at one time. I was shocked, but really his bloodline shows he can get it.”

--Edited Turfway Park release