Columbus track report

COLUMBUS, Neb. - Dennis Collins on Saturday became the first jockey to post a four-win night at this meet. He and leading rider Armando Martinez combined to win the first six races of Saturday's eight-race card.

Collins got his first win of the night in the second, via disqualification. The 3-5 favorite Southern Okie, with Collins aboard, went to challenge pacesetting Halo's Heartbreak through the far turn. Ridden by Terry McGee, Halo's Heartbreak drifted out badly into the stretch, carrying Southern Okie beyond midtrack, and then beat Southern Okie by a neck.

Following a stewards' inquiry and claim of foul by Collins, Halo's Heartbreak was placed behind Southern Okie ($3.40) for causing interference. Collins picked up the remainder of his wins in less eventful fashion, guiding My New Nickel ($10.60) to victory in the third; Raw Talent ($15) in the fifth; and Shania's Shadow ($8.60) in the sixth.

* Last Friday, the "38-Special," a daily double wager combining the third and eighth races, was introduced. The wager was announced via notices at the wagering windows and was not listed in the track program until Sunday.

The wager drew a pool of $692 on Friday night. Yuri Yaranga rode both halves of the 38-Special for a $175.20 payoff. Saturday's pool was $553 and yielded a payoff of $140.

Because two daily doubles ended on the same race Saturday, software problems developed in the mutuel department and the payoffs were unable to be displayed. As a result, the wager was canceled for Sunday's eight-race card.

Plans now are for the 38-Special to be offered only on cards where nine or more races are offered, and the mutuel department is working on a fix for the software so the wager can eventually be offered daily.

* This Friday's crowd will be bolstered by a group of approximately 500 Korean War veterans. The large group is part of the Nebraska Veterans of the Korean War and most of the group was expected to come to the winner's circle to present a blanket following the seventh race.