C. R. Charmer steps up, stretches out

C. R. Charmer has made a quick impression this meet at Fonner Park and moves into stakes company for her third career start - and third of the season - when a field of six meets in the $25,000 Orphan Kist Stakes for older statebred fillies and mares.

C. R. Charmer, a 4-year-old trained by Ron Westermann, won her maiden going a half-mile on opening weekend. She followed up with another run from just off the pace to take an entry-level allowance race at the same distance two weeks later. She will step up in class and stretch out to six furlongs in the Orphan Kist, but has run like she will enjoy the added distance. Tanner Riggs will ride from post 1.

Scat's Princess, a 4-year-old trained by David Anderson, won the Fantango Lady Stakes at Horsemen's Park last summer and will make her seasonal debut Saturday, as will Saint Bay, who is trained by Marv Johnson. Scat's Princess is likely to vie for favoritism in this well- matched field. R.D. Williams has the ride from post 4,while Saint Bay has Don Frazier aboard in post 2.

Whispering Hope, trained by Jim Cranwell, is coming off a good win over starter allowance company locally on Feb. 18. She has a career mark of 9-2-1 from 15 starts at Fonner Park and has never won on a track other than this one. She has proved competitive in stakes company. Dennis Collins will ride from post 5.