Headache strikes in Cornhusker

Headache earned the biggest win of his career in the Cornhusker (Jack Coady/Coady Photography)

Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s HEADACHE (Tapit) was sent off the 9-2 second
pick in Saturday night’s

Prairie Meadows Cornhusker H. (G3) but ran like a favorite when
flying down the center of the track to score by 2 1/2 lengths over 9-5
choice Awesome Gem (Awesome Again).

Headache broke well under jockey Miguel Mena, who allowed his mount
to take back and secure a ground-saving trip on the inside near the back
as Victory Pete (Five Star Day) took the lead. That one set splits of
:23, :47 and 1:10 4/5 while closely tracked by Cryptolight (Fantastic Light)
just off his flank.

As the field entered the turn, Headache began picking off horses
while still running along the rail. Mena angled his mount off the inside
and the five-year-old went widest of all entering the stretch. The Mike
Maker trainee simply ran by his rivals, extending his margin to 2 1/2
lengths when crossing under the line while stopping the clock in 1:47
4/5 for nine furlongs on the fast Prairie Meadows dirt.

Headache was worth $11, $5.80 and $3.80 to his faithful supporters
for taking his second stakes win and first in open company. Awesome Gem
just got his neck in front of Victory Pete to secure second, while it
was another length back to fourth-placer Cryptolight. Defending champion Shadowbdancing (Montbrook)
followed in fifth while Stachys (Candy Ride [Arg]), Red Lead (Red Bullet), Black Hills (Judge T C), Fast Alex (Afleet Alex), It Happened Again (Proud Citizen)
and Schramsberg (Storm Cat) completed the order under the wire.