Plaer's Trump tries mile and older rivals

Plaer's Trump has won four straight races over the past two seasons and now moves up to face new challenges when she heads a field of nine going one mile in the $20,000 Matchmaker Stakes for Nebraska-bred fillies and mares at the Nebraska State Fair Park in Lincoln.

Plaer's Trump, a 3-year-old trained by Herb Riecken, will face older rivals and try going beyond six furlongs for the first time in her career, but she appears to have enough versatility to take this step up. She opened the year with a victory in the $30,000 Fonner Park Special for her richest career win.

Most recently, Plaer's Trump took the May 13 Princess Stakes locally, where she overcame being carried out on the first turn to rally for the half-length win. Plaer's Trump, owned by Corrine Sachs, seems to find just enough to get the job done this year and should be well respected against her more seasoned competition.

She will be part of an uncoupled entry for Riecken. He also sends out his own Magic Trump, who is seeking to break the $100,000 plateau in career earnings.

Trainer Ron Westermann will saddle a trio of starters - the coupled entry of his own Shawklit Premiere and Overnite Surprise, plus C. R. Charmer, who races as a separate interest for owner Caryn Moser.

Whispering Hope, claimed by Kim Veerhusen for $6,500 in her only start locally, moves up to stakes competition again and could pose the biggest upset threat. She has three wins sprinting this year and will bear watching on the stretch-out.