Nikki Nine seeks repeat in Bold Accent

There won't be any shortage of speed when Nikki Nine defends her title against eight other fillies and mares in the $10,000 Bold Accent Stakes at Fonner Park.

Nikki Nine opened her 2007 campaign by winning the four-furlong Bold Accent for trainer Kim Veerhusen. She will break from post 9 under Larren Delorme, and the outside gate may be an advantage in a speed-heavy field, with a traffic jam very likely to develop as the horses sprint for the turn.

A repeat win would boost Nikki Nine past the $100,000 mark in career earnings. She has won 7 of 22 starts, including four over Fonner's five-furlong oval.

Butter Crunch is the only mare in this bunch who does not run near the lead. She will be trying the half-mile distance for the first time and should be full of run when they straighten for the drive. She drew post 8 and will have Mike Luark aboard for trainer Jason Wise.

C. R. Charmer developed into a solid stakes runner late last year, winning the Matchmaker Stakes at Lincoln, the Falls Amiss at Horsemen's Park, and the Bill Callihan Stakes at Columbus. Trainer Ron Westermann sent out C.R. Charmer for her maiden win here last February in her career debut. Beth Butler will be aboard from post 3.