Up 'n Blumin takes another shot at Runza

Eight fillies and mares will meet at Fonner Park in the $15,000 Runza Stakes going six furlongs, while the Baxter Stakes, canceled because of last weekend's wet track, drew a full field of 10 3-year-olds.

Up 'n Blumin came up a neck short of winning the Runza last year, her only defeat in six starts. She will be making her seasonal debut. Trained by Larry Donlin, Up 'n Blumin has a career record of 12-4-0 from 18 starts, and has not been out since winning in the Falls Amiss Handicap at Horsemen's Park last July. R.D. Williams will ride.

Her main competition should come from Lovesablumin, winner of the Orphan Kist Stakes at Fonner on March 3. Trained by Terry Hemmer, Lovesablumin won four races last year, including the Fonner Park Special and the Breeders' Special at Lincoln.

Nikki Nine and Salty Attraction both own two wins at this meet. Nikki Nine opened her season with a win in the Bold Accent Stakes going a half-mile on opening weekend, and returned March 25 with a six-length win over top-level allowance company. Salty Attraction won a pair of mid-level allowance races.

In the six-furlong Baxter, My Secret Star, and Heso should vie for the role of favorite. My Secret Star won the half-mile Bachman Stakes and an entry-level allowance this year, but ran a dull sixth against allowance company in his last start on March 18. Heso won an entry-level allowance at Fonner on March 10 and should be closing into a hotly contested pace.