Fonner Park track report

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - Death Trappe had no problems in reacquainting himself with the sharper turns of this five-eighths-mile track last Saturday, when he narrowly missed the stakes record in taking the Ogataul Handicap by 4 1/4 lengths. He sped the six furlongs in 1:11.60 after shaking off an early challenger.

Gene owns the stakes record of 1:11.40.

Owned and trained by Don Leifeld and racing under the banner of D & L Trucking, Death Trappe has spent much of his time going longer distances while competing in Southern California. He may well be prepping his way to a start in the $100,000 Bosselman/Gus Fonner Stakes, to be held April 24 at 1 1/16 miles.

* Jockey Dan Beck will make an early return to the saddle Friday after a follow-up trip to his doctor in Lincoln. The doctor said Beck's injury is a severely bruised heel, not a torn Achilles tendon as first feared.