Columbus: Uncharted territory

COLUMBUS, Neb. - A full field of 10 2-year-olds are set for the $10,000 Club House Special at the Columbus Races and nearly all of them will be trying six furlongs for the first time in their career.

Trainer Bill Conyers sends out Palladian as the likely favorite in this wide-open race. Palladian won his maiden at Prairie Meadows in late May and faced allowance

company there in his last two starts. Armando Martinez has the ride from post 4.

Slotsfan, trained by Marv Johnson, is an undefeated filly whose mother won this race in 1996. By Yankee Fan out of the Nickel Slot mare Slots of Fun, Slotsfan won her maiden at first asking going a half-mile at Lincoln. She returned three weeks later to score a two-length victory in the 4 1/2-furlong Capital City Futurity.

The question will be whether Slotsfan can carry her sharp speed six furlongs. Jerry Carkeek rides from post 5.

Tyrone Gleason will bring up Lady Legend from Kansas, where she won her division of the trials for the Anthony Fair Thoroughbred Derby by 3 1/2 lengths. She then finished second in the derby on July 25.

Witchit, one of two maidens that drew into the body of the race, has a trio of fourth-place finishes at Prairie Meadows and it would be no surprise to see her run strongly here.