Horse Racing Trader’s Tips – Fonner Park Preview – Tuesday 31st March
Our trader Johnathan Priddey gives his thoughts on the US racing action
Today’s action takes us to Grand Island, Nebraska where Fonner Park lays on a nine-race card on the dirt track.
The Cornhusker State venue is already well into its Spring Meeting, with 100 races already being run. But ahead of today’s card, which gets underway at 22:00, one of our traders has cast his expert eye to give his picks to watch…
Armando Martinez
Jockey Armando Martinez may be the veteran of the field, in the saddle since 1985, but the senior statesman is still the man to beat over the Fonner Park course. He’s won 25 of his 108 rides this spring, while finishing in the top three on 55% of his mounts.
The veteran jockey and leading rider often links up with Kelli Martinez, his wife and trainer of Fonner Park-based powerhouse MLH Stables. With Armando on board, it’s no surprise that it’s Kelli topping the lead trainer charts this spring, producing 16 winners from 49 runners so far.
Armando is booked for eight mounts at this meet, with the husband and wife dream team scheduled to link up twice.
The first MLH stables runner comes in the 22:54, where Talk Big Money is looking to break his maiden on his third start for the stable.
The improvement from his first and second run was massive, and he shouldn’t need much more to get the job done after a good draw in stall three. Main rival Drastic has it all to do after being drawn in the outside post.
Their second chance comes in the 01:09, where Martinez mounts Mean Erika in a competitive stakes event. This three-year-old filly needs little improvement on bare form but should be marked up after suffering wide tips of late.
With Armando set to scrape the paint from the inside post, she could be a threat in this race.
Armando Martinez booked mounts: L B Gold (22:00), Talk Big Money (22:54), Stef’s Guy (23:21), Giant Gamble (23:48), Chilango (00:15), Popcorn For Eddie (00:42), Mean Erika (01:09) & Air Assault (01:36).
David Anderson
Trainer David Anderson has enjoyed a good spring so far at the Fonner course, including a victory in the coveted Ogataul Stakes with stable star Phlash Drive.
Anderson will be looking to add to the 10 wins he’s already notched so far from 51 runners, and he’s got six chances to here.
His best hopes to add to that tally could come in the 00:42, where he sends out Lovethatcause and Scooter’s Boy.
With at least four confirmed pace angles in the race, habitual deep-closer Scooter’s Boy could be in the right place at the end of the run to pick up the pieces.
On debut last week, that’s exactly how it played out as three-year-old gelding booted away to win assertively for Anderson.
David Anderson declared runners: Run For Matty & Kido’s Sling Shot (22:54), Nattytyne (23:21), Lovethatcause & Scooter’s Boy (00:42) & Cline Time (01:09).
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of date of publication.
