Collins starts wedding celebration early

LINCOLN, Neb. - Dennis Collins, the leading rider at the Lincoln State Fair, will be celebrating last weekend for years to come.

Collins's two brothers were in town from New Jersey for the jockey's marriage to Becca Jorgensen, held Monday afternoon in the West Garden area of the State Fair Grounds. Saturday, the Collins brothers got to see Dennis post a five-bagger. He followed the feat with a four-bagger on Sunday.

Collins scored in the odd-number races on Saturday's card, with Bet Brick ($15.20) in the first; Hopewell Hall ($3.80) in the third; Lost Shamrock ($6.60) in the fifth; O'Mike's Gotcha ($4) in the seventh; and Braces Loded ($3.60) in the ninth.

He came back Sunday to score with Topper Stopper ($4) in the second; Kerosene Cat ($8.40) in the fifth; Ottis P Coaltrain ($11.40) in the $13,200 State Fair Futurity; and Mr Dunno ($8.80) in the ninth.

In winning nine of the 18 races offered Saturday and Sunday, Collins stormed to a 46-34 lead over Jerry Carkeek in the rider standings with two weeks remaining in the meet.

Following Sunday's card, Collins and several friends, including fellow riders Carkeek and Jerry Jewell, enjoyed a limousine tour of Lincoln leading up to the ceremonies on Monday.

* State Fair Park will offer the Jockeys Across America/Don MacBeth Day festivities on Saturday. On Sunday, the Nebraska Breeders' Championship Day will be presented, with five stakes races and four starter allowances for state-breds.