Field taking shape for Bosselman Stakes

The field for the showcase event of the Fonner meet, Saturday's $75,000 Bosselman/Gus Fonner Stakes, was beginning to solidify Wednesday morning, with a field of seven considered definite while as many as five others were still on the fence to fill out the field of 10 maximum starters.

Shadowbdancing and Calm and Collected were the confirmed shippers as of Wednesday. Shadowbdancing is the likely favorite for the 1 1/16-mile fixture and is trained by Terrel Gore.

Shadowbdancing made his seasonal debut April 3, when he won the $50,000 Cryptoclearance Stakes at Hawthorne while leading throughout to score by two lengths. Shadowbdancing was a three-time stakes winner last year and also was second in the Grade 2 Cornhusker Handicap at Prairie Meadows.

Calm and Collected was vanned to Nebraska this week and will turn back on seven days' rest after finishing second in the $50,000 Tony Sanchez Memorial Mile at Manor Downs outside of Austin, Texas, last Saturday. He will be under the handling of trainer Dudley Graham on Saturday.

Calm and Collected won 10 races last year in his 15 starts, competing primarily at the $5,000 starter-allowance level. His biggest effort came when second in the Claiming Crown Iron Horse going a 1 1/16 miles at Canterbury Park last summer.

The local contingent is expected to consist of the top three finishers from the April 10 Dowd Mile - Elusive Pleasure, Roaring Home, and The Nutz, who won the Bosselman/Gus Fonner in 2008. Jim Meyaard has confirmed No Walkin' Joe as a starter. He most recently won a second-level allowance at Sunland on April 3. Platinum Devil, fourth in the Dowd for trainer Larry Donlin, is a possible starter.

Also under consideration from out of town are T. C. Champ from trainer Chris Richard; The Big Wave, trained by Lynn Chleborad; Tiz Believing, trained by H.R. Ashford Jr.; and Tone It Down, trained by Steve Asmussen.

Entries for the race were to be drawn Thursday.

* Closing out the weekend will be a handicapping contest on Sunday featuring the Fonner Park race card. Early entry fee is $25 prior to Sunday, and $35 on the day of the contest. Each contestant also must deposit $100 that is the live bankroll used on the contest races. Play is tracked through the tote system, and bets must be made at designated windows.