Full field gathering for Fonner's main event

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - The field for Saturday's $100,000 Bosselman/Gus Fonner Stakes at Fonner Park began taking shape on Wednesday as the plans of several shippers were solidified.

A full field of 10 is expected for the 1 1/16-mile Bosselman/Gus Fonner, highlight of the meeting. Heading the list of ship-ins that were expected to enter on Thursday is last year's winner, Dusty Spike, who is trained by Mark Lee and based on a farm in Oklahoma. Dusty Spike became the first horse to sweep Nebraska's two remaining $100,000 races with wins in the Bosselman/Gus Fonner here and the Omaha Handicap at Horsemen's Park last July.

Also expected in are Colorful Tour, owned and trained by Noel Hickey; the Jim McCoy-trained Big Glori, from Iowa; Our Best Man, a David Van Winkle trainee who has already arrived; and the Ramon Gonzalez-trained duo of Dalt's Kingpin and Novel T Dreamer.

Horses considered possible for the race are the Tom Van Berg-trained Sonic West, winner of this year's Grade 3 Razorback Handicap at Oaklawn Park, and Freefourinternet, trained by Joan Scott. Freefourinternet was entered Wednesday for Friday's Grade 3 Elkhorn Stakes at 1 1/2 miles on the Keeneland turf course.

Tonight Rainbow heads up a local contingent that could include Death Trappe and Getaway Holme, winner of the Dowd Mile here two weeks ago.