Tonight Rainbow seeks four-peat

Tonight Rainbow has picked up the baton passed from the legendary Leaping Plum and begins his 10-year-old season as the three-time defending champion in the $10,000 Grasmick Stakes going four furlongs at Fonner Park.

Leaping Plum established what is believed a record by winning this race seven consecutive years, from 1995 to 2001. He returned to capture an eighth victory in 2003 after finishing second in 2002.

Tonight Rainbow is unlikely to match that feat, but he won the 2004 edition, finished out of the money in 2005 and then started his own streak with wins in 2006, 2007, and 2008. Trainer Boyd Caster was scheduled to ship in Tonight Rainbow from his base in Oklahoma on Thursday evening. Tonight Rainbow will be a short-priced favorite under jockey Curtis Kimes in a field of five.

Caster will also bring in For Glory as part of an uncoupled entry. For Glory is primarily a higher-priced claimer who has been sprinting on the turf. He will have Luis Ranilla aboard.

First Class Brass was second to Tonight Rainbow in this race last year and will make his seasonal bow on Saturday for trainer Kelli Martinez.

Wham was a troubled third against $15,000 claimers locally last Saturday. He closed well in the lane and should be a factor here with a recent race under his belt. Trainer Ronnie Riggs will have Paul Nolan aboard Wham.