Spice Swirl tries to win Columbus Maturity/Matron Stakes for fourth straight year

COLUMBUS, Neb. – Older Nebraska-bred mares get the spotlight as a compact field of five goes 6 1/2 furlongs in the $15,000-added Columbus Maturity/Matron Stakes on Saturday evening at Columbus.

The Maturity/Matron will be run for the seventh time Saturday, and the obvious favorite will be trainer Brian Roberts’s Spice Swirl, who has won this race the past three years. A 7-year-old daughter of Shadow Hawk out of the Miracle Heights mare Shesaidsheknowsya, Spice Swirl will be aiming for her second win of the meet for owner Shady Bend Thoroughbreds.

Roberts also will send out his own Sookie’s Kookies, a 6-year-old half-sister to Spice Swirl, as part of an uncoupled entry. Sookie’s Kookies, by Drinkwiththedevil, also has a win at the meet.

Trainer Mark Lemburg sends out an uncoupled entry as well in Prime Bluff and Yearlong Fever.

KEY CONTENDERS

SPICE SWIRL (Last 3 Beyers: 73-6-64)

◗ Her poor middle Beyer Speed Figure can be forgiven. She was second in a field of three optional claimers in the slop at Canterbury Park. While she was beaten more than 37 lengths by the winner, she was 25 lengths in front of the third runner.

◗ Owns a 4-0-1 mark from 6 career starts at the track. She beat males here Aug. 2 going six furlongs against optional-claiming company.

◗ Owns stakes wins this year in the Orphan Kist at Fonner Park and the Falls Amiss Handicap at Horsemen’s Park.

SOOKIE’S KOOKIES (64-54-60)

◗ Romped by 10 lengths here Aug. 3 against $6,500 claiming company for her third win of the year.

◗ Was fifth in this race in 2012 and second, beaten 5 3/4 lengths, in last year’s edition.

PRIME BLUFF (60-35-28)

◗ Comes off a win at Fair Meadows Tulsa on July 26 over $5,000 company.

◗ Third in this race last year, she was fourth to Spice Swirl in the Orphan Kist at Fonner Park this spring.