Lincoln: Conyers has strong one-two

Trainer Bill Conyers will send out a strong entry of Mr Tire and Thoughtuwasatoad to head a field of eight in the $17,500 State Fair Derby at Lincoln.

The Conyers entry will be countered by two runners from leading trainer David Anderson, who sends out the Alice Mettler-owned entry of Ope and Track Hero.

Mr Tire won his maiden in his first start early in the Fonner Park meet and soon picked up an allowance win at six furlongs. He then won the Baxter Stakes at 6 1/2 furlongs. In his lone start at Lincoln, Mr Tire was shuffled back and unable to contest the pace, finishing fifth in the Journal Star Stakes. This will be the first start at a mile for both Mr Tire and Thought-uwasatoad, but they may rate the slight edge in this field.

Ope was an 8 1/2-length winner against entry-level allowance company here May 28, then closed strongly and finished fifth in a six-furlong allowance in his last start. He may be the stronger part of the entry going long. Track Hero gave way after a half-mile in the State Fair Breeders' Stakes here June 10 in his first attempt at a mile. The loss snapped a three-race win streak that included the Journal Star Stakes.