No time to waste in Speed Handicap

LINCOLN, Neb. - Sunday's $10,000 Speed Handicap at 4 1/2 furlongs should live up to its name with a full field of 10, plus one more on the also-eligible list, ready to flash their one-turn speed over this five-eighths-mile oval.

Delux Fantasy, a 4-year-old owned and trained by Herb Riecken, has been comfortable running one condition above his eligibility this year, winning both of his starts by daylight. A winner of three races in five career starts, Delux Fantasy defeated nonwinners-of-four allowance company in his last out here, on May 17.

He won a maiden race in his career debut here in July 2000, when he captured the Bluegrass Stakes. He was put on the shelf the remainder of that summer, and then sustained a minor injury in his second race back, just over a year ago, at Prairie Meadows.

Riecken brought Delux Fantasy, an Iowa-bred son of Fighting Fantasy, back in solid shape this year, and he will face his stiffest challenge to date Sunday. Armando Martinez rides at 116 pounds from post 10.

A strong cast of front-running half-milers should battle on the long run up the backstretch. April Sunshine, Brother Huz, Dobob, U R Smart, Luckiestofthelucky, and Time of the Lepus are confirmed speed horses and should provide a strong opening quarter-mile, which takes the field nearly to the turn.

From there expect Delux Fantasy, Citimagic, Doug's Shadow, and Ty Man to begin making their runs. With a stretch of less than an eighth of a mile, it could be anybody's race through the final 200 yards.

Doug's Shadow, weighted at 117 pounds with Jiri Peterka in the saddle, and Citimagic, topweighted at 120 with Stormy Smith to ride, will be making their seasonal bows. Doug's Shadow is a multiple stakes winner in Nebraska, while Citimagic ships in from Prairie Meadows. Ty Man, also at 117 pounds with Rob Williams to ride, has been slowly rounding into form at Fonner Park but may find this spot a bit tough.

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