"An actor out on loan."

"Riders on the storm."

Sure, I'm quoting one of my favorite rock groups of all time, "The Doors," but I'm also singing the praises of my team in Fonner Park's fantasy jockeys contest.

Earlier this week, my friend and colleague, Independent sports writer Dale Miller, wrote on his adventures in the world of fantasy sports. I must admit that I'm a fantasy sports junkie, as well.

My first venture in fantasy sports went all the way back to 1979 and a very rudimentary fantasy football league. All I remember about my fantasy debut was my team stunk and Earl Campbell ruled.

Moving on to the 1980s and 1990s, I played football, baseball, basketball and even hockey fantasy, but it was a mid-'90s contest at Nathan Detroit's that got me initially involved in "Fantasy Jockeys."

Always looking for something fun for their customers, Nathan's owner Robert Mahood came up with the idea of fantasy jockeys, which I played in the league with Fonner Park track announcer Steve Anderson.

Anderson wears many hats at Fonner. In addition to his duties of calling the races, he does a great job in promoting Fonner Park. Anderson remembered the fun of fantasy jockeys, and brought it to the track starting in 2006.

The scoring is rather unique, as you get the mutuel price of any winner one of your riders rides. Hence, a rider such as Garrett Gomez might have five winners on a day that pay a combined $25, while Joel Rosario might only ride one winner, but pay $60 and thus be more productive in fantasy jockeys than Gomez.

Fourteen teams drafted teams with eight jockeys, with a pool of riders coming from Fonner and tracks that simulcast to Fonner. Nebraskaland Distributing of Hastings has helped with an additional sponsorship, that has increased the prizes for the league.

My team, "Riders on the Storm," has had a decent year and has risen this week to second place in the standings, behind Kelly Schueler's well-named "Easy Come Easy Goer," a great name, although his second choice. "Sunday Silence of the Lambs" would truly be one of the great fantasy sports team names of all time.

One of the fun things about the league, is it's not unusual to see a rider win on a long shot, and four or five owners in the league immediately ask the question, "I wonder who's team that rider is on?"

I have to admit, my riders sometimes even play into my wagering. Last week, I cashed a modest bet on a $19 winner at Turfway Park. When a friend asked how I came up with the winner, I replied, "Well, Tommy Pompell is on my team and he hasn't had a winner in three days. I figured he was due."

My friend not a fan of fantasy sports looked at me with total disdain.

Hopefully, fantasy jockeys will be back next year for year four at Fonner Park. I sure hope so as I think it's a proven winner. If you hear someone yelling in the Keno Lounge at Fonner, "Bring her home Rosemary," rest assured that Rosemary Homeister is bringing home a winner at Tampa Bay Downs and someone is starting to hum "Riders on the Storm."