By Randy Monk
sports.desk@theindependent.com

Tonight Rainbow, breaking just behind Apache General and Cosgrove, took the lead in the middle of the backstretch only to face a stout challenge from First Class Brass as they entered the far turn.

Tonight Rainbow, ridden by Yuri Yaranga, repelled the challenge from the younger First Class Brass with Armando Martinez aboard down the stretch to post a one-length win. Did rallied from last to finish a strong third.

"I was a little worried at the top of the stretch," Caster said. "I thought 'Well, maybe he has a little age on him, and these younger horses will get him,' but he reached down hard and really showed his class down the stretch."

Tonight Rainbow returned $2.80 to win while traveling the four furlongs in a swift 45.60 seconds.

Caster had a lot of praise for Yaranga's ride.

"Yuri's a good rider," Caster said. "He's not real well known in Grand Island, but back east (in Ohio) he's a top speed rider that can rate a horse and is a good finisher."

Yaranga complimented Tonight Rainbow's running style.

"He's really a professional horse," Yaranga said. "He showed a lot of class. When Armando came after him he dug in and just ran smooth and straight down the stretch."

Caster was hoping that Fonner fans would be able to see Tonight Rainbow yet again this season.

"We'll see how he comes out of the race and give him three or four days off," Caster said. "If he comes back strong, we might be back for the (Tondi-Budweiser Stakes) next month. He's about a once-a-month horse now."

The Tondi-Budweiser Stakes is scheduled for March 29 at Fonner Park.

DD Dot Com unseated Beth Butler coming out of the gate in the Grasmick, but neither Butler or her mount were injured in the mishap.

"My mount kind of anticipated the break and got his head turned," Butler said. "When they opened the gate he hit the stall pretty hard. Luckily I went down OK."

Butler was still all smiles after the races as she tied her personal career best by booting home four winners on the day.

"I've had a lot of good live mounts so far this season," Butler said. "I hope to keep it up."

Butler teamed up with trainer Milton Gaede for three of the wins scoring on Gaede-trained horses in the fourth through sixth races.

Hoofprints

* Fortunate Kristi crossed the finish line first in the first race, but was disqualified for interference on the turn.

* In addition to Butler's four wins, Yaranga won two races and Luis Ranilla also won two. Lee Sensenbach won the last race of the day for his first win on the season.

* Caster confirmed that last week's Bold Accent winner, Here's A Memory, has been retired. "It was a one-shot thing with her. We're going to turn her out and breed her this spring to Burbank," Caster said.

* First post time for Sunday's nine-race card is 2 p.m.