Fonner: Up 'n Blumin clear choice

Up 'n Blumin returns to action as a solid favorite when she faces six others in the $15,000 Runza Stakes at Fonner Park.

The only time Up 'n Blumin has lost at Fonner came in this race a year ago. She comes into this year's race off a sharp seasonal debut victory in the Orphan Kist Stakes on March 4. Now trained by Larry Donlin, Up 'n Blumin is in position to repeat as the meet's champion older filly or mare.

A 5-year-old Nebraska-bred daughter of Blumin Affair, Up 'n Blumin was claimed for owner Richard Galyen at Prairie Meadows last spring for $40,000. She posted a 5-2-0 mark from 8 starts last year and earned more than $72,000. R.D. Williams has the ride from post 9.

Burning Memories will make her first start of the year and joins stablemate Cornbread N Honey as a coupled entry. Burning Memories drew post 7 with Dennis Collins set to ride, while Cornbread N Honey breaks from post 6 under Beth Butler.

Burning Memories won the Runza in 2003 and 2004 before her third-place finish in the race last year. Burning Memories has a bankroll of $227,721 from a mark of 15-12-11 in 50 starts.

Trainer Brian Roberts sends out a coupled entry in Shesaidsheknowsya, runner-up to Up 'n Blumin in the Orphan Kist, and Butter Crunch, a nonwinners-of-four allowance winner at Fonner on April 2. Shesaidsheknowsya drew the rail and has Tanner Riggs in the saddle, while Butter Crunch has Larren Delorme aboard from post 8.