Jimmy Rash, Central Nebraska Today
GRAND ISLAND — Jockey Kevin Roman knew he was in good shape when he turned for home in the 63rd running of the $75,000 Bosselman Pump and
Pantry/Gus Fonner Stakes Saturday at Fonner Park.
That’s because he was sitting on top of a powerful thoroughbred named Komorebino Omoide.
“He’s a great horse,” Roman said. “I think the last time I had that much horse was when I drove my father-in-law’s Corvette down the interstate.”
When Roman and Komorebino Omoide turned for home they were a length ahead of Tennessee Moon in second place. When the hit the wire, that lead had expanded to 11 3/4th lengths. He covered the 1 1-16th miles in 1:44.60.
“When we turned for home I took a peek back,” Roman said. “I knew nobody was coming, but I was tempted to test him a little bit and see how it felt. I didn’t have to do it. I just leaned forward a little bit and he automatically just gave me a little bit more.
“We had so much more left. It was unreal. I had a hard time pulling him up, so there was a lot more in there. A lot more.”
Komorebino Omoide was content to sit in a close second behind Tennessee Moon much of the way. When Roman asked for more, Tennessee Moon couldn’t keep up.
Drivehappy, a stablemate to Tennessee Moon in the Mark Hibdon barn, came up to get second when Tennessee Moon finished third.
But there was no doubt who was the star of the show.
Komorebino Omoide was bred in Japan. Owner Perry Martin, who was also the breeder, said his wife picked out the name.
“Komorebino means the light that filters through the trees in the forest,” Martin said. “She thought it was very interesting that the Japanese had a word for that. So I tried to get the name Komorebino but it wasn’t available, so we went with Omoide because that means a remembrance of Komorebino.”.
Martin will certainly remember this race for a long time.It was the second Bosselman win for Martin, although he didn’t come to Grand Island for the first one in 2021.
“Everybody told me I was wasting my time because there was a horse named Sleepy Eyes Todd coming,” Martin said.
But Martin’s horse Mo Mosa came away with the Bosselman win that year over Sleepy Eyes Todd who had won the year before.
The win was worth $49,050 for Komorebino Omoide’s connections. It was his fifth win in 17 starts and brought his earnings to $431,846.
Diodoro said it was Martin who picked out the Bosselman for Komorebino Omoide, who is the son of California Chrome.
“I have to give him credit for picking it and it worked out well because this horse has run against some very tough horses this winter and had a couple of tough beats,” Diodoro said. “It’s always nice to get a win in a horse. It’s good for their heart. He’s not short of talent, but you need heart to go along with it.
“He needed this race today. He needed to get a win after a couple of tough beats this winter.”
As a heavy 1-5 favorite, Komorebino Omoide paid $2.40, $2.80 and $2.20. Drivehappy pad $13.40 and $5.20 while Tennessee Moon paid $3.40 to show.
Hoofprints
— Racing resumes Friday at 4 p.m. The final day of live racing at Fonner Park follows on Saturday with a 1:30 p.m. post time. That card will feature the Al Swihart Memorial Stakes as well as the Kentucky Derby.
— The Dinsdale Automotive Pick 5 jackpot went out for the second day in a row. This time, five right paid $5,000. The jackpot will start again on Friday with $5,000 guaranteed
