The Nutz rolls to strong win in holiday race

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BY BRIAN ROSENTHAL / Lincoln Journal Star

The winner of this year’s richest race on the Nebraska thoroughbred racing circuit made a stop in Lincoln on Friday.

The Nutz, owned and trained by Grand Island native Steve Hall, didn’t disappoint, either.

Ridden by veteran jockey Don Herber, the 4-year-old gelding went wire-to-wire in winning the $17,500 State Fair Board Stakes at State Fair Park.

The Nutz had upset Wayzata Bay in the $75,000 Bosselman/Gus Fonner Stakes in Grand Island on April 26. State Fair Park racing secretary Wayne Anderson couldn’t immediately remember the last time the winner of the Bosselman/Gus Fonner Stakes had also won a stakes race in Lincoln in the same year.

A holiday crowd of nearly 3,000 took notice of the Grand Island champ; a 5-2 morning-line favorite, The Nutz went off at even odds. He returned $4.20 to win.

“I knew I probably had the best horse,” said Herber, who rode The Nutz in Grand Island, “and with any racing luck, we should get this.”

Larry Staroscik’s Mike’s Pet, winner of the Big Red Mile on Memorial Day, finished second with jockey Chris Fackler. Herb Riecken’s Justabit Shawklit, ridden by Luis Ranilla, was third.

The Nutz, starting from the first post position, started strong and maintained at least a length’s lead going into the final turn of the 1 mile, 70-yard race.

“I didn’t know if he’d be in front,” Hall said. “Coming off a short race, I thought he’d show speed. And he has speed, but he doesn’t have to be in front.”

Herber showed the whip heading for home. The Nutz responded, stretching his lead to five lengths before winning by three.

“I really wanted to let him run the last quarter, because in two weeks we go to Omaha, and he’ll run against the heavyheads there,” Herber said. “I wanted to make sure we ran clear to the wire today, because it’s been since Grand Island since we’ve run a mile.”

The Nutz won a 6-furlong allowance race at State Fair Park on June 20. He’s won five of six starts this year.

Hall purchased The Nutz as a yearling in Kentucky.

“As a 2-year-old he shinbucked on me, then last year as a 3-year-old I got to run him twice here, and his shins got sore again, so I stopped on him,” Hall said.

“It’s paid off, because he’s come back really good this year — and sound. It’s been a four-year deal, but at least it’s paying off.”

Three of the 10 entries had run in the Bosselman/Gus Fonner Stakes — The Nutz, Joanna Lambert’s Hot Chocolate and Kelli Martinez’s First Class Brass.

Hall will enter The Nutz in the $50,000 stakes race at Horsemen’s Park in Omaha in two weeks.

“This race sets him up well,” Hall said.

Briefly

* Deputy’s Whirl is a 2-1 morning line favorite to win today’s $20,000 Breeders Special Fillies at State Fair Park. Fackler rode Deputy’s Whirl, trained by Robert Rising, to victory in the May 11 Princess Stakes and will also ride today.

* Fan Appreciation Day will be held June 12 at State Fair Park. The first 2,000 fans receive a drawstring backpack with prizes and coupons included. All fans will receive free admission, free tip sheets and free programs. 

* There is no Thursday night racing next week. Lincoln’s live meet concludes July 13.

Reach Brian Rosenthal at 473-7436 or brosenthal@journalstar.com.