Jockey Walter De La Cruz couldn’t have been disappointed when he found out that there were two scratches from the eighth race at Prairie Meadows last night, and his mount, Island Magic, had to face just three rivals.

    The 3-year-old filly by Bahamian Squall made it even easier for her rider, taking the lead out of the gate and holding it for every second of her six-furlong trip, which went in 1:11.72. Island Magic had a six-length lead in the stretch, and increased it to nine at the wire, collecting $10,500 for her first victory in three starts.

Based on a second-place finish in her previous start, Island Magic was sent off at even money and paid $4 while becoming the 19th winner for Bahamian Squall this year.