Chris Kotulak | Horse Racing Free Tips

Fonner Files: Fans From Near And Far At Fonner Park

Fonner Park CEO Chris Kotulak shares slices of life from the Grand Island, Neb., racetrack throughout the 2021 meet in the Fonner Files.

Today, we shipped off three golf shirts and caps to Delaware from someone who says he just doesn't want to see Fonner end again.

Who buys logo gear from a track they've never been to – a track that really doesn't have a gift shop? Who? Fans! That's who.

Countless times we have taken calls from folks who want something “Fonner.” This happened last year when there were slim options due to the pandemic, but we're doing it on our own now. And we couldn't do it without you – the fans.

Three guys named Mike drove 13 hours from Shreveport, La., for a weekend at Fon. Another came from Chicago, just for one day.

But, thus far, the 2021 “Fon Super Fan” award goes to Pete Aiello Sr. – yes, father of the Pete Aiello who is on the horns at Gulfstream Park.

Papa Pete came to Fon simply to add to his list of now 96 parimutuel racetracks (dog and horse) he has visited. Pete flew from his home in South Florida and says he plans to return, even though he now has officially notched Fon on his belt.

Our season ends on Kentucky Derby day. We hope to see you next season. What's your shirt size?

Fonner Park CEO Chris Kotulak with “Fon Super Fan” Peter Aiello Sr.

Fans at Fonner Park.

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Fonner Files: One For The Ages, Again, At Fonner Park

Fonner Park CEO Chris Kotulak shares slices of life from the Grand Island, Neb., racetrack throughout the 2021 meet in the Fonner Files.

In 2021, one Thoroughbred ran in all three of the most important multi-million-dollar races in a three-month span: the $3-million Pegasus World Cup, the $20-million Saudi Cup and the $12-million Dubai World Cup. That's quite a feat.

The horse that won the Bosselman Pump and Pantry / Gus Fonner Stakes in 2020 is back to defend his crown in 2021; that's nice, although not quite as significant.

But, what's so incredibly remarkable is that both endeavors tie to the same horse: Sleepy Eyes Todd. And, what is even more impressive is that Fonner Park – “The little track that could” – is back in the horse racing limelight.

Fonner Park forged through an unthinkable 2020 racing season that found the tiny five-eighths-mile racetrack on the world stage as one of a very few tracks to continue racing during a global pandemic. Sleepy Eyes Todd also achieved the unforeseen after his 2020 Bosselman /Gus Fonner win by racking up three more mighty stakes wins on the way to his recent trilogy of appearances against some of the best Thoroughbreds throughout the world. Stranger things have happened in horse racing, although this is certainly one of the most unexpected turn of events.

But can Sleepy Eyes Todd win this race in a stroll with his eyes closed? Many will think so and believe him to be a deserving heavy favorite. However, will the weight of the grandstand and the toll of traveling nearly 20,000 miles by air and 635 miles by trailer from Dallas to Grand Island be just enough to open the door for his rivals? It sure could.

That's why they open the starting gate and run the races on the racetrack and not off past performances.

And, order of finish is how they payout the purse money, not off reputation. Hats off to the connections of Sleepy Eyes Todd for returning to Fonner Park as part of his planned 2021 racing campaign, and kudos to the connections of those who entered to race against a foe who is the returning champion. There are hundreds of ways to lose a horse race and only a few ways to win. And there is no predicting the pendulum of luck.

Safe travels to the horses and riders and thank you to all the horsemen, staff, fans and friends of Fon for yet another memorable season. We couldn't have done it without all of you.

P.S. Don't forget about the mandatory payout in the Dinsdale Late Pick 5; the Saturday carryover starts at $129,454.

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Fonner Files: It Really Did Just Get Better At Fonner Park

Fonner Park CEO Chris Kotulak shares slices of life from the Grand Island, Neb., racetrack throughout the 2021 meet in the Fonner Files.

The late sportscaster Dick Enberg used to exclaim, “Oh my!” The late, great football announcer Keith Jackson was known to pop with an, “Oh Nellie!” If they were to opine down from the heavens, I'm certain Harry Caray would chime in with a “Holy Cow!”

All exclamations would apply after a look at the field for the 2021 Bosselman / Gus Fonner Stakes, the ninth race this Saturday at Fonner Park.

The last 365 days have been a wild ride for Sleepy Eyes Todd, who bloomed after his 2020 Bosselman/Gus Fonner win, and Fonner Park continues to shine.

Sleepy Eyes Todd has run against some of the best horses in the world in his last three races, and Fonner Park continues to remain popular in 2021 after exploding onto the scene in 2020 when there was a dearth of wagering opportunities.

The day gets a cherry on top with a mandatory payout in the Late Pick 5 Jackpot. Saturday afternoon is the place to be at Fon.

Sleepy Eyes Todd in the Fonner Park winner's circle following the 2020 Bosselman/Gus Fonner Stakes.

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Sleepy Eyes Todd Returns From Dubai, Heads To Fonner Park For Saturday’s Bosselman Stakes

Sleepy Eyes Todd is back in Grand Island, Nebraska for the 46th running of the $75,000 Bosselman Pump-Pantry/Gus Fonner Stakes on Saturday, April 24 at Fonner Park.

Sleepy Eyes Todd, who drew the ninth post position Thursday morning, is one of a full field of 10 horses entered in the 1 1/16th mile race.
The defending champion cruised to a 6 1/2 length win in last year's Bosselman. That was just the beginning of a big run for Sleepy Eyes Todd. He went on from there to win stake races at Charles Town, Keeneland and Gulfstream before taking his act overseas.

Sleepy Eyes Todd, a 5-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Paddy O'Prado and Pledge Mom, finished fifth in the $20 million Saudi Cup Feb. 20 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse and then was 10th in the $12 million Dubai World Cup on March 27.

“It's always special when the defending champion returns, but it's next to unthinkable that the same horse, Sleepy Eyes Todd, returns having run against arguably some of the best horses in the world in his last three races,” Fonner Park CEO Chris Kotulak said.

Since winning the Bosselman, Sleepy Eyes Todd has gone on to earn over $1.5 million. He now has eight wins in 18 career starts and has earned a total of $1,889,825 for trainer Miguel Silva and owner Thumbs Up Racing.

Kotulak said Having Sleepy Eyes Todd back at Fonner will draw even more attention to Fonner Park.

“This is quite a treat for our fans to come see, but our off-track mutuel handle has quadrupled since all of the world watched Fonner Park last year,” Kotulak said. “But you can bet that thousands of eyes across the nation will be watching and wagering on Sleepy Eyes Todd again this Saturday.”

Sleepy Eyes Todd, who will be ridden by six-time Fonner Park champion jockey Jake Olesiak, has been installed as a 1-1 morning-line favorite, but he will be challenged by nine others who also have their eyes on winning the Bosselman. That field includes shippers Box Seat (5-1), Downtowner (5-1) Mo Mosa (5-1) and Minecraft Maniac (10-1)

Shades of Victory, the winner of the Dowd Mile at Fonner Park on April 10, is 15-1. Poderoso Equis, who was second in the Dowd, is 25-1.

Trainer Marissa Black has her duo of Blue Harbor and Mr. Tickle entered for the second straight year. Blue Harbor, second in the Bosselman last year is 12-1 and Mr. Tickle, third a year ago, is 25-1. Most Amusing, trained by Nebraska Hall of Fame trainer David C. Anderson, is also 25-1.

The giant Saturday also features a mandatory payout in the Dinsdale Auto Late Pick 5 Jackpot wager. There is a carryover into the Friday, April 23rd racing of over $110,000. First post Saturday is 1:30 p.m. CT. The Late Pick 5 Jackpot involves the final five races on the card.

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