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Ten Nebraska-bred geldings go postward in the $25,000-added Ogataul Stakes to be run at the classic Nebraska circuit distance of six furlongs.
In a very wide open race, Blumin Attitude, owned by St. Paul native Deanna Cranwell and trained by husband Jim Cranwell, has been installed as the 5-2 morning-line favorite.
"He's coming up well to the race," Jim Cranwell said. "With it being his first out of the year, though, you just never know if they're ready."
Blumin Attitude scored five wins on the Nebraska circuit last year, including four victories at Fonner Park. Cranwell has shown great patience with his five-year-old Nebraska-bred star.
"We kind of waited for him to develop," Cranwell said. "We didn't race him as a two-year-old, then just ran him four times as a three-year-old."
Last year during his four-year-old campaign Blumin Attitude developed a winning attitude, scoring a maiden win at Fonner by 13 lengths before easily going through his conditions with three more wins in Grand Island. The Cranwell charge capped off his year by winning the WhoDrWho Stakes at Horsemen's Park in Omaha.
Damon Leeds, who scored on Blumin Attitude at Horsemen's Park, takes the mount for the Cranwells.
Second choice on the morning line comes from the red-hot Larry Donlin barn as Heso makes his 2007 debut.
Heso, who is moving up to face older competition, won two races last season at Fonner Park, included the six-furlong Fonner Special Stakes for three-year-olds. Donald Herber takes the riding assignment.
Only three horses in the field have had the benefit of a race in 2008. Of those three, Marvin Johnson's Did looks especially dangerous. Did closed well to finish third in the four-furlong Grasmick Stakes behind Tonight Rainbow. Stretching out to six furlongs may help the five-year-old turf specialist ridden by Yuri Yaranga.
Also making their second start of the season are Track Hero, trained by R. Dean Bliss with Chris Fackler riding, and Show My Dancer from the Paula Thomsen barn, ridden by current leading rider, Beth Butler.
Rounding out the field is High Fleet, Justabit Shawklit, Coyanosa, Bevy's Best and Skwhirl.
None of these horses are being overlooked by Cranwell.
"It looks to be wide open," he said. "Any of these horses could win the race."
The Ogataul is scheduled to run at 4:58 p.m. The 10-race card kicks off at 1:30 p.m.
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