Ponce enjoys strong weekend

Jockey Jesus Ponce enjoyed a career weekend at Fonner Park. Following a $41.20 upset in the Ogataul Stakes aboard Skwhirl on Saturday, Ponce booted home five winners on Sunday's card to trail Damon Leeds by a 14-13 margin after three weekends of racing. Leeds posted a four-win day on Friday.

Ponce led off Sunday's performance by sweeping the early double with Tidal Storm ($6) and Spank Me Happy ($5.20). He then scored with Nikki Nine ($4.20) in the fourth, Huxley Hall ($8) in the eighth, and finished out the day aboard Midnight Saga ($11.80) in the 10th. Ponce is the 13th rider to win five races in a day at Fonner Park.

Leading trainer David Anderson posted triples on both Friday and Saturday, then had a double on Sunday to boost his win total for the young season to 14. Larry Donlin is next in line with five wins.

* A constitutional amendment that would allow slot machines at the state's horse tracks was outvoted in the General Affairs Committee on Monday, stalling the bill and keeping it from advancing to the full legislature for consideration. The action likely halts further discussion of the bill this year.