Columbus track report

COLUMBUS, Neb. - The Nebraska Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Agency finalized a purse raise for Columbus Races on Wednesday, supplementing overnight purses on a floating scale of $200 to $500 per race and increasing purses of open stakes by $1,000. The raise is retroactive to last Thursday's opening day card.

The horsemen's association also supplemented Fonner Park purses this spring to keep purses at their 2002 level. The raise brings the minimum purse to $3,700 for bottom-level claimers.

Trainer Lem Klemme opened the meet on a strong note. He has three winners from three starters and shares the early lead in the standings with Gene DeRoin. Rider Luis Ranilla picked up seven wins over opening weekend to lead Aramando Martinez by one.

Racing now shifts to its traditional Friday-through-Sunday format for the remainder of the meet.