Fonner Park: Spice Swirl attempts Orphan Kist triple

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – Spice Swirl will make her 2014 debut as the likely favorite against older Nebraska-bred fillies and mares when a field of eight goes six furlongs in the $25,000-added Orphan Kist Stakes at Fonner Park on Saturday.

Trained by Brian Roberts, Spice Swirl is the two-time defending winner in this race, but she has usually had a start under her before going six furlongs in her seasonal debut. Roberts also will saddle Sookie’s Kookies as part of an uncoupled entry.

Last year, Spice Swirl collected three stakes wins from her eight starts and boosted her lifetime record to 11-5-2 from 30 starts, with earnings of $154,026. After winning this race, she also won the Falls Amiss Handicap at Horsemen’s Park and the Columbus Maturity/Matron, her final start of the season.

Trainer Jim Cranwell will send out his own entry of Precious Affair and Classy Affair, and either mare could be ready to give the top choice all she can handle. Classy Affair is coming off a conditioned claiming win March 7 in which she led all the way. Precious Affair was a troubled second in her 2014 debut Feb. 22 going a half-mile and appears poised for a big effort.

Zena’s Affair has already made four starts this year for trainer Bob Rising. She made three starts at Turf Paradise this year before shipping up to Nebraska. Her first start here came against $2,500 starter-allowance company, and she finished third after contesting the pace for a half-mile of the six-furlong contest. She has the versatility to lay off the pace also, which could serve her well in this spot.