Preview: Collusionist faces 8 in Dowd Mile

On April 6, Collusionist will line up against 8 others in the 62nd running of the Dowd Mile at Fonner Park in Grand Island, Nebraska. Collusionist has been installed as the 12/1 sixth choice on the morning-line.

Collusionist, the third-highest earning Colorado-bred ever, is attempting to win his first race outside of Colorado. A victory would boost him to the highest earning Colorado-bred of all time. He has previously raced without success in Arizona, New Mexico, Washington and Oklahoma. The Dowd Mile is his first start in Nebraska. In preparation for the Dowd Mile, Collusionist worked a bullet four furlongs in 48 flat over the Fonner Park surface. It was the fastest of 23.

Collusionist was entered in the race with Bryan Houghton as the listed trainer. As reported by Jim Schleicher of the Nebraska Thoroughbred Racing Network, Houghton was involved in a life-threatening training accident the morning Collusionist arrived in his care. Schleicher’s full coverage of Houghton and Collusionist can be viewed here, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1091690154628889/permalink/1827399807724583/.

The Collusionist camp expressed interest to Schleicher that should Collusionist put in a good effort, he is possible for the Bosselman Pump and Pantry/Gus Fonner Stakes-- the most prestigious race in Nebraska. Collusionist will break from post 7 with Adrian Ramos aboard.

The morning line favorite at 2/1 is Kentucky-bred Its a Wrap. The Twirling Candy gelding won the Dowd Mile in 2022 and comes into the 2024 edition with a 2 for 2 record on the year and a victory last out in the Tondi Stakes at Fonner Park. Its a Wrap has run a 100 range Equibase speed figure on three occasions, but the last time that happened was in January of 2023. Recently, he has been running in the 70-80 range.

Collusionist has also been in the 70-80 range with his recent losses at Turf Paradise and Albuquerque. At Arapahoe Park, Collusionist regularly runs 100 range Equibase speed figures.

Mo Summer is the Dowd Mile’s young upstart. In his last six starts, he has been no worse than second. As a 3-year-old he won the Fonner Park Special Stakes and the Columbus Breeders’ Stakes-- both restricted to Nebraska-bred 3-year-olds. Last out, he won the Otagul Stakes over 6 furlongs for Nebraska-bred 3-year-olds and up. He ran a career best 82 Equibase speed figure when winning the Otagul Stakes by a nose. Mo Summer, 6/1, will break from post 9 with Scott Bethke aboard.

The Dowd Mile can be watched on Fonner Park’s website, https://www.fonnerpark.com/horse-racing/live-streaming. Post time for the Dowd Mile is 4:22pm mountain. Past performances for the Dowd Mile are available for free on Fonner Park’s website.

Photo: (1) Collusionist wins the 2023 Front Range Stakes; (2) Mo Summer during the 2022 Gold Rush Futurity (Colts & Geldings Div.) post parade.