By Randy Monk
sports.desk@theindependent.com

The $8,500 allowance race for fillies and mares who had never won three races proved to be easy pickens for On Zee Rebound as the Beth Butler-ridden horse spotted her rivals six lengths, but rallied to win comfortably. Spotting the early runners Shesaluckyflag and Honky Tonk Slew was not by design however.

"She tried to run in the gate," Butler said. "When she false-broke, she kind of hit the gate hard coming out. We didn't want to be that far behind the front-runners."

Once Butler got her charge running though, she was still confident in the outcome.

"When she started running, I knew it would have to be a heckuva horse to out run us," Butler said.

Gaede, who now has over a .500 winning percentage at the meet, was typically low-key about his stable after the race.

"What can you say, we've done well," Gaede said. "We'll just keep entering them and hope we continue to do well."

Gaede bought the mare at Keeneland and has now scored two wins and a second with her at Fonner Park this season.

Shesaluckyflag just held off the fast charging Honky Tonk Slew for second.

Sent off as the overwhelming favorite, On Zee Rebound returned $3.40 to win while the exacta paid $11.40, and the $2 trifecta returned $20.40.

On Zee Rebound, sired by Breeders Cup Sprint champion Cherokee Run, ran the six furlong distance in 1:14:40.

Hoofprints

* For the second straight day, ten different trainers won races at Fonner.

* Veteran rider Mike Ziegler found the winner's circle three times. Ziegler scored wins on Northern Indian in the second race, Funforall in the third, and Westfest in the eighth.

* Butler and Yuri Yaranga remained tied for the lead in the jockey standings as each rider one won race on Friday.

* Post time for Saturday's 10-race card is 1:30 p.m. The racing highlight is the 33rd annual running of the Runza Stakes, plus an Easter Egg hunt for the kids.