Bosselman up for grabs, fore and aft

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - Finding the winner won't be the only handicapping challenge when a field of 10 goes to the gate for Saturday's $100,000 Bosselman-Gus Fonner Handicap, Fonner's showcase race.

With the lack of a confirmed front-runner, and a host of deep closers in the 1 1/16-mile race, there could be nearly as much jockeying for position at the back of the pack as there will be up front, making it difficult to predict how the pace will unfold.

Forrest Kaelin will send out 121-pound highweight Miner's Prize in his first stakes appearance since last fall. A son of Miner's Mark, Miner's Prize has won 2 of 4 starts this year at Fair Grounds from off the pace. Gerard Melancon will be in to ride from post 3.

Setting the table for late closers Miner's Mark, Battle Mountain, and King's Verse are likely to be Fight for Ally, from the barn of Elliott Walden, and Slewston, trained by Jack Van Berg.

Slewston invades from the allowance-optional claiming ranks at Santa Anita where he was victorious April 7 going a mile. Ken Shino picks up the mount from post 7. Fight for Ally, an Indiana-bred son of Fit to Fight, prompted the pace in Fair Grounds' Whirlaway Handicap before fading to third against Valhol and Parade Leader. He returned to finish a tiring fifth in the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap. Willie Martinez comes in to ride from post 5.

Battle Mountain is a two-time winner of this race and can not be overlooked. He won the Bosselman in 1998 and 2000 and came up just a nose short last year with a strong late run. He dipped into the claiming ranks at Oaklawn Park this year but proved his fire was still there by making up more than 23 lengths while finishing third against $35,000 claiming company. He followed Tate's Way to the wire in the Dowd Mile here April 6 but may be coming into a top performance. Perry Compton rides from the outside post.

Tate's Way was impressive winning the Dowd Mile, closing from 11 lengths off the lead to take command through the far turn and cruise home by four lengths over Battle Mountain. Armando Martinez has the return ride from post 9.

King's Verse was winless in three starts at Fair Grounds this year but rallied to be third, beaten eight lengths, in the Dowd Mile. Don Frazier will ride from post 6.

Almost Home, who is trained by Tom Amoss, may have the best running style to win this race. Running in allowance-optional claiming company at the Fair Grounds, Almost Home has won his last two from just off the pace and should be sitting in good position under Sidney LeJeune. The duo drew the inside post.

A special first post time of 1 p.m. Central is set for the 10-race card.

The Bosselman-Gus Fonner Handicap goes at the ninth race and offers a guaranteed minimum superfecta pool of $50,000.

* Arlen Hiatt died Tuesday at his home in Columbus, Neb. following a long bout with cancer. He was 74.

Hiatt trained on the circuit for the past 30 years and campaigned several stakes winners, including Red Black Ketle, Schelly Bo, Ramblin Indian, and Neraks Eman, who was Nebraska's champion 2-year-old of 1999 with earnings of over $100,000.

Hiatt is survived by his wife, Kathleen, two children, and three sisters. Funeral services were to be Friday in Columbus with burial to be in Taylor, Nebraska.

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