Fonner Park – Grand Island, Nebraska
700 E. Stolley Park Road, Grand Island, NE
Race 9: The Baxter Stakes (Sixty-Fifth Running)
For 3-year-olds
Six furlongs – Dirt
Purse: $20,000-added (60% to winner, 20% second, 12% third, 5% fourth, 3% fifth)
Scheduled Post Time for Race 9: 5:22 PM CT (First post for the card is earlier in the afternoon; check track for exact daily schedule) Expected
Weather Conditions (as of race time):
Cloudy skies with temperatures around 55°F (feels like mid-50s with wind). Winds ESE at 13–14 mph. Humidity ~42%. Forecast calls for showers possibly developing later in the evening, but the afternoon/early evening should remain dry enough for racing. Mild spring conditions typical for Nebraska this time of year.
Track Conditions:
Dirt surface expected to be fast with moderate-to-good footing. The track is playing fairly neutral overall, with a slight advantage to horses breaking from middle posts (able to settle into stalking positions). Tactical speed and ability to stalk/pace will be key; extreme front-runners or deep closers may need perfect trips. No rain expected before post time, so no off-track concerns.
Morning Line Odds & Full Field (7 horses – no scratches reported):
PP 1 – Big N Slow (KY)
Jockey: Travis Cunningham
Trainer: Marvin A. Johnson
ML Odds: 9/2
Big N Slow is a lightly raced gelding by Known Agenda out of a Pulpit mare. He broke his maiden impressively in a March 27, 2026 MSW at Fonner Park over this exact 6-furlong distance, winning by a nose in 1:13.80 after a hard-fought battle. That was only his second career start (record entering today: 2: 1-0-0). Trainer Johnson knows the Fonner circuit well and has been successful with improving 3-year-olds. Cunningham is a solid local rider who knows how to get a horse to relax early. Big N Slow has shown gate speed and grit; expect him to be forwardly placed from the rail. A logical contender if he builds on that maiden score.
PP 2 – Golden Hurricane (NY)
Jockey: Alberto Pusac
Trainer: Kelli Martinez
ML Odds: 6/1
By Lookin At Lee, this gelding has made five starts with a record of 5: 0-1-0. He finished a very close second (nose) to Big N Slow in the same March 27 MSW at Fonner, showing tactical speed and a willingness to battle. Trainer Martinez is having a strong meet and knows the local biases. Pusac is one of the leading riders at Fonner and gives this horse an excellent chance to turn the tables or improve with experience. Look for him stalking just off the early pace; he’s a strong exotic play and could wire the field if the top gets tangled.
PP 3 – Witt’s Ten Touch (TX)
Jockey: Alex Birzer
Trainer: Jerry Gourneau
ML Odds: 3/1
Gelded son of American Dubai. Recent form includes competitive efforts at various tracks (including a 2nd-place finish on March 29). Birzer is a veteran Fonner rider with excellent timing. Gourneau is a capable trainer who doesn’t ship in lightly. This horse has shown versatility and can sit mid-pack before making a run. The 3/1 morning line reflects solid respect; he’s a prime win candidate if he’s improved since his last outing and handles the local dirt well.
PP 4 – Chatty Milligan (LA)
Jockey: David Cardoso
Trainer: Mark N. Hibdon
ML Odds: 8/1
By Mr Speaker. Hibdon (who also trains the favorite) is a top local conditioner and has two live chances here. Chatty Milligan is a bit of a longshot at 8/1 but could improve with the class drop or trip. Cardoso is reliable. Expect him to be mid-pack; value in the exotics if the top choices overpace.
PP 5 – Easy Munnings (KY)
Jockey: Belen Quinonez
Trainer: Luiz Antonio Arceo
ML Odds: 10/1
By Munnings. Quinonez is a strong local jockey who can get the most out of a horse. Arceo knows the circuit. This gelding is a bit of a longshot but has shown flashes; he’ll need a perfect trip from post 5 but could offer upset value at double-digit odds if the pace collapses.
PP 6 – Forza Road (CA)
Jockey: Nathan Haar
Trainer: Joseph M. Dominguez
ML Odds: 6/1
By Mo Forza. Haar is another capable Fonner rider. Dominguez sends a shipper that could be overlooked. Middle post helps; he’ll likely be forward or mid-pack. Live at 6/1 if he’s sharpened up for this stakes engagement.
PP 7 – Ahooga (LA) (Morning Line Favorite)
Jockey: Jose Angel Medina
Trainer: Mark N. Hibdon
ML Odds: 5/2
By Keen Ice. Ahooga enters with the most experience (9: 1-0-4) and strong recent form: third at Fonner Park just a few weeks ago, plus a win earlier this prep at Delta Downs. Trainer Hibdon is one of the meet’s leading conditioners and has the hot hand with two entries. Medina is a top local jockey who knows exactly where to place this horse. Ahooga has shown consistency, tactical speed, and the ability to finish strongly. From the outside post he can stalk or even press the pace. Hard to go against him as the slight favorite.
Overall Race Preview & Key Insights:
This is a competitive stakes for 3-year-olds at the beginning of the Fonner Park meet. The pace should be honest with several horses capable of pressing or stalking (Big N Slow, Golden Hurricane, Ahooga). The neutral-to-middle bias favors PP 3–6, but the rail (Big N Slow) and outside (Ahooga) are also playable.
Top Contenders:
Ahooga (7) – Most experienced, recent local form, top trainer/jockey combo – the one to beat.
Big N Slow (1) – Fresh off maiden win at this track/distance; improving and dangerous.
Witt’s Ten Touch (3) and Golden Hurricane (2) – Both have upside and could spring the upset or fill the exacta.
Suggested Wagers:
Win/Place: Ahooga or Big N Slow
Exacta Box: 7-1-3-2
Trifecta: 7/1,3,2/1,3,2,5,6 (keying the top three with coverage)
