Two juvenile stakes in Columbus meet finale

COLUMBUS, Neb. - The curtain comes down on the race meet at Columbus on Sunday with a pair of 2-year-old stakes for Nebraska-breds, as well as a tribute to the victims and heroes of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The ceremony will be presented between the fourth and fifth races Sunday and will include recognition of local police, fire and sheriff's departments, plus the National Guard. The Honor Guard will present a 21-gun salute, and "Taps" will be played by a representative from the local American Legion.

The better of the two stakes races Sunday is the $12,500-added Columbus Futurity, which drew a field of nine. A six-furlong race, the Columbus Futurity is headed by Skwhirl, the winner of the State Fair Futurity at Lincoln earlier this summer. Skwhirl returned here in the Club House Special on Aug. 27 and failed to offer a rally that day, finishing fifth, beaten five lengths. Yuri Yaranga rides.

Capehart, Hero in My Heart, and My Halo are the other winners in the field. Capehart was a four-length winner of his maiden race here Sept. 4 at 3 1/2 furlongs and will have Roger Gomez aboard for trainer Larry Donlin Jr. when he breaks from post 8.

My Halo won his maiden here in August, then finished sixth in the Club House Special. Hero in My Heart comes in off his maiden win Aug. 19.

The Columbus Debutante, the eighth race on the card, failed to draw a winner and will serve as a nice maiden purse for the seven fillies entered. Any Dream Will Do looks capable and has Mike Luark in the saddle from post 6.