Fonner Park: Preciousville steps up to stakes

Louisiana invader Preciousville should rule as a solid favorite when she faces five others in the $15,000 Pepsi Stakes for 3-year-old fillies going six furlongs at Fonner Park.

Preciousville won her maiden on Jan. 19 at Delta Downs by a widening 8 3/4 lengths going 6 1/2 furlongs. Owner Craig Wulf stepped in to claim Preciousville, a daughter of Petionville, for $12,500 in her next start, which came on Feb. 10 at Fair Grounds. She rallied to win that mile race by 2 1/4 lengths and will make the move to stakes company in her Nebraska debut. Trainer Dan Coughlin has named Luis Ranilla to ride the late-running Preciousville.

Preciousville should have a good pace to run at, with Rachele R's Queen, Mexican Time, and Deputy's Whirl all showing a preference to run on the lead.

Rachele R's Queen, an import from Tampa Bay Downs earlier this year, is winless in her two tries against lower claiming company at Fonner. She was claimed by Roger Riggs in her Fonner debut on Feb. 24. Mexican Time, trained by David Anderson, comes off a 1 3/4-length maiden win on March 22. Deputy's Whirl, a stakes winner trained by Bob Rising, has not been able to carry her speed in two starts this year.

Sunday Dancer comes off a maiden win from off the pace here on March 9 for trainer Kelli Martinez, and could also benefit from what should be a contested pace up front. Armando Martinez, the husband of the trainer, will ride.