Irish Flyer will take on older rivals

COLUMBUS, Neb. - Irish Flyer will take on older rivals in Sunday's $7,000-added Bill Callihan Handicap at 6 1/2 furlongs.

Owned by Dale Kurtz and trained by Terrell Hemmer, Irish Flyer, a 3-year-old, has won six of nine starts, all this year. She won her maiden at first asking this spring at Fonner Park, won the Princess Stakes at Lincoln in May, and the Inaugural Stakes here opening night. She most recently beat older rivals in an allowance Aug. 18. Jose Figueroa rides at 116 pounds from post 6.

Sweet Fantastic scored front-running victories in the six-furlong Bluegrass Handicap and the one-mile Matchmaker Handicap at Lincoln this summer. Trained by David Grimes, she has been idle since a poor showing in the Falls Amiss Handicap late in the Lincoln meet. She carries co-high weight of 120 pounds, including rider Jerry Carkeek, and breaks from post 5.

Cindy's Doll has rounded back into form with a win and a fast-closing second to Irish Flyer in her two Columbus starts. A winner of four races this year, Cindy's Doll is a late-running threat and should appreciate Sunday's distance. Jiri Peterka will ride at 115 pounds from post 3.

Herb Riecken sends out the coupled entry of Double Dreamin Deb, under 120 pounds, and Statsie's Charmer, at 119 pounds, with Armando Martinez named on both. Double Dreamin Deb captured the mile and 70-yard Falls Amiss Handicap at Lincoln for her only win this year.