Diamond Joe seeks 20th stakes win in Bosselman/Fonner

Fonner Park fan favorite Diamond Joe will attempt to reach a significant career milestone Saturday when he runs in the $30,000 Bosselman Pump and Pantry/Gus Fonner Stakes. He will be chasing his 20th stakes victory in the 1 1/16-mile race. Diamond Joe became the first Nebraska-bred to win the Bosselman/Fonner when he captured the race in 2013.

“This horse is 7 now. We’re lucky he’s still around,” said Chuck Turco, who trains Diamond Joe for the partnership of Joe Miller and Joe Koziol. “I’ve had him since he was 2, so we’re pretty good friends. I can’t believe he’s gotten this far, hanging around this long. It’s really hard to do now. It’s hard to keep them sound that long.”

And on top of their game.

Diamond Joe could go favored in the 10-horse Bosselman/Fonner off a runner-up finish in the local prep, the $26,000 Dowd Mile. The winner, Eton Ridge, did not enter Saturday’s race. The Bosselman/Fonner is the meet’s premier race but had its purse reduced from $75,000 after Fonner was placed under quarantine due to recent cases of equine herpesvirus. The card Saturday also features the $25,000 Al Swihart Memorial, a 6 1/2-furlong race for fillies and mares that drew 10.

KEY CONTENDERS

Bosselman Pump and Pantry/Gus Fonner Stakes (Race 9)

Diamond Joe, by Dazzling Falls

Last 3 Beyers: 78-66-62

◗ He is looking for his second stakes win of the meet, having opened his season in March with a victory in the $26,000 Ogataul. In the Dowd Mile on April 16, he dueled for much of the race and finished 2 3/4 lengths back.

“I thought Joe was a little fresh,” Turco said. “He usually stalks.”

◗ Diamond Joe has won 21 races from 48 starts in his career for earnings of $442,737. He is 10 for 19 at Fonner. Turco said Diamond Joe has excelled on the five-eighths track, which will make for a three-turn configuration for the Bosselman/Fonner.

“He knows how to run on it,” Turco said. “Some horses, it confuses. ‘What the heck? It’s not over yet?’ It’s a different style of racing. It’s a different style of [handicapping]. If you want to get a break from the regular stuff, here’s something interesting.”

◗ Chris Fackler has the mount on Diamond Joe, who will break from post 4.

Witt Six, by Drums of Thunder

Last 3 Beyers: 50-74-85

◗ He can make an impact with a repeat of his effort three starts ago at Delta Downs, where he was third in an optional $35,000 claiming race at a mile. The field included Grade 3 winner Rise Up.

◗ Jake Olesiak has the mount from post 5.