Yaranga takes command of rider standings

With four weekends remaining in the Fonner Park season, Yuri Yaranga has taken control of the rider standings. Yaranga was excused from his remaining mounts during last Sunday's card because of the flu, halting his string of multiple win days.

Yaranga booted home four winners last Friday and added his third triple of the season Saturday to take a 39-27 lead over Beth Butler in the standings.

* Action leading up to the meet's highlight event, the $75,000 Bosselman/Gus Fonner Stakes on April 26, heats up Saturday with the $20,000 Dowd Mile. The Dowd is the local prep for the 1 1/16-mile Bosselman. A dozen horses, all local, were nominated to the Dowd. First Class Brass, trained by Kelli Martinez, and Okie Dozer, from Dan Coughlin's barn, head the list of probables.

A young horse sure to raise some eyebrows if entered is Yield to the Storm, a maiden winner in his career debut locally on March 29. Owned by Tom and Elizabeth Baxter, Yield to the Storm is out of the Grade 1 stakes winner Cindy's Hero, winner of the 2000 Del Mar Debutante.

Yield to the Storm, by High Yield, was in training last year at Santa Anita with David Hofmans but did not make the races. He debuted as a 4-year-old two weeks ago, winning his maiden in hand by 4 1/2 lengths.