Princess attracts stakes-winning trio

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - Stroll By and Lady Countdown will likely vie for the favorite's role Sunday in a field of six 3-year-olds fillies going in the $15,000 Princess Stakes at six furlongs, the first stakes of the season at Lincoln State Fair.

Stroll By won three straight at Fonner Park this spring, capped off by her win in the Pepsi Stakes on March 21. Trainer Larry Donlin then shipped Stroll By to Prairie Meadows, where she finished second in sloppy going in the $50,000 Goldfinch Stakes on April 25. Regular rider Jesus Ponce will be aboard.

Lady Countdown was an allowance winner last out at Fonner and a stakes winner in Canada as a 2-year-old for trainer Charles Smith. Lady Countdown has registered her three wins in front-running fashion and will be the one to catch in this field. Luis Ranilla will ride.

Apple Crumble, winner of the Fonner Park Special Stakes, completes the trio of stakes winners in the field. She will likely join Stroll By as a stalker. She has never been worse than second in her six starts but will meet her stiffest challenge to date here.

Sprig of Acacia and Wyalaya, both confirmed speed horses, and Ms. Bumper, second in the Fonner Park Special, complete the field.

Ms. Bumper overcame a rough start to rally from over eight lengths back and draw off in her career debut on March 27. In her next start, Ms. Bumper was on the pace early and could not go with Apple Crumble in the stretch of the Fonner Park Special.