No trouble for The Nutz in Dowd Mile

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - The Nutz left no doubt where his next start will come after a dominant 3 3/4-length win in the $20,000 Dowd Mile Stakes at Fonner Park on Saturday afternoon.

The reigning champion of the meet's biggest race, The Nutz tuned up for his appearance in the $75,000 Bosselman/Gus Fonner Stakes on April 25 by easily shaking off his rivals through the final turn to take command in upper stretch.

Jockey Damon Leeds had the 5-year-old son of Chester House geared down through the final sixteenth, crossing the wire with The Nutz fully in hand. He covered the mile in 1:38.80 over a fast track and boosted his career mark to 7-2-1 from 11 starts and earnings of $110,375. He returned $3.40 as the overwhelming favorite in the field of 10.

Tiger Lake encountered traffic through the final turn but rallied to take second with First Class Brass checking in third.