Whoa Nellie back from long break Friday in sprint

Whoa Nellie!

It’s a great name for a horse and one that will be on the lips of horseplayers Friday when the filly starts as one of the top choices in the ninth race at Oaklawn. The feature is an optional $75,000 claiming sprint for 3-year-old fillies going six furlongs.

Whoa Nellie goes for the Fox Hill Farm operation of Rick Porter, who won the Arkansas Derby with Omaha Beach on Saturday. He agreed to the name Whoa Nellie after it was brought to him by his executive assistant, Victoria Keith.

“I saw it was a recently released name that was cute, cute, cute,” said Keith.

Larry Jones trains Whoa Nellie, who is making the second start of her career following a debut win in a maiden special weight Nov. 22 at Churchill Downs. Calvin Borel has the mount Friday.

“We drew a good hole for her, 9 out of 10,” Jones said. “We should be in a good spot to sit and watch and keep her relaxed. Hopefully, this is going to be a good race for her.”

◗ Fonner Park announced Wednesday overnight purses will be increased 15 percent beginning Friday. The boost comes on the heels of a 10 percent increase made last week. The Nebraska track races through May 4, with its signature race, the $75,000 Bosselman/Gus Fonner, coming up April 27.