Turco closes Fonner meet with stakes sweep

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - Lou Lou Larue and Cherishistheword both gained hard-earned victories in divisions of the Fonner Park Special Stakes for 3-year-olds to give trainer Chuck Turco a sweep as Fonner Park closed out its season Saturday afternoon.

Lou Lou Larue was challenged early by Spice Swirl and needed nearly 5 1/2 furlongs of the six-furlong race to wear that one down, surging clear for a three-length win in the $25,700 fillies division. Ridden by Damon Leeds, Lou Lou Larue covered the six furlongs in 1:13.60 over a fast track to prevail as the 2-5 favorite in a field of seven Nebraska-bred fillies.

Lou Lou Larue returned $2.80 and improved her career mark to 3-1-0 from 5 starts, all in stakes company.

In the $25,700 colts and geldings division, Cherishistheword withstood the constant pressure of Bach's Homebrew from start to finish to score by a head under Luis Ranilla. Frank Dracman, a maiden invader from Prairie Meadows for trainer Tim Gleason, was just another head back in third.

Cherishistheword paid $7 for the win as third choice in the field while gaining his first stakes win. A son of Shadow Hawk, he has never been worse than second with a mark of 3-4-0 from 7 starts.

Also on the card was the $10,000 Coors Starter Allowance. Trainer Milton Gaede sent out Tenth Power for a 4 3/4-length victory in the meet's longest race at 1 1/8 miles. Under apprentice Ashley Dill, Tenth Power earned his fifth consecutive win at the meet. Tenth Power covered the distance in 1:52 and returned $6.60 as the second choice in a field of six.