Up 'n Blumin picks up where she left off

Up 'n Blumin ($3.20) continued her dominance over the filly and mare division at Fonner Park with a confident half-length win in her seasonal debut in Saturday's $17,100 Runza Stakes.

Ridden by R.D. Williams, Up 'n Blumin found herself alone on the pace of the six-furlong Runza, then was never asked for a serious run while holding Salty Attraction safe under hand urging in 1:14.20 over a fast track. It was her fifth consecutive win dating back to last year's Al Swihart Memorial Stakes here, a race she will be the likely favorite this year for trainer Larry Donlin.

In the co-featured Baxter for 3-year-olds, My Secret Star ($10) rallied from just off the pace to score his second stakes win by 2 1/4 lengths under Beth Butler.