Sweet Stuff rallies in Bosselman Pump and Pantry/Gus Fonner Stakes

Sweet Stuff won Fonner Park’s flagship race at 25-1 on Saturday, when he rallied from off the pace in the mud in the $30,000 Bosselman Pump and Pantry/Gus Fonner Stakes. He won by a neck over Go Gold, while it was another 5 3/4-lengths back in third to 3-5 favorite Diamond Joe.

The Bosselman/Fonner shared a card with the $25,000 Al Swihart Memorial, won in a six-length romp by Girl Boss ($6.40). The purse of the 1 1/16-mile Bosselman/Fonner was originally $75,000, but was reduced after Fonner was placed under quarantine due to recent cases of equine herpesvirus.

Sweet Stuff ($54) was content to let the speed go, as Diamond Joe took the initiative from the bell and was pushed through fractions of 24.20 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.60 for the half mile and 1:15.20 for six furlongs. Sweet Stuff angled out in the stretch of the three-turn race, and rallied to cover the distance in 1:51.20.

Mike T. Luark was aboard for trainer Larry Donlin, Jr.

"Larry told me, 'Let him run his own race,'" said Luark. "I just tried to stay out of his way."

Sweet Stuff is a 6-year-old son of Candy Ride who was bred in Kentucky. He is owned by Elmer Schaaf Racing.