GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Fonner Park closed out its 2026 Thoroughbred racing season on Kentucky Derby Day with one of the strongest performances of the year, highlighted by increased wagering totals, major stakes races, and several facility upgrades across the track grounds.
Track officials said Derby Day on May 2 generated the largest mutuel handle of the season. Despite one racing date being canceled because of weather conditions earlier in the meet, overall on-track wagering still finished up one percent compared to last season, continuing a multi-year trend of growth at the Grand Island racetrack.
The featured Bosselman/Gus Fonner Stakes returned to a $100,000 purse in 2026 and delivered one of the meet’s top finishes. Cornishman rallied late in the stretch to edge defending champion Komorebino Omoide in the closing stages of the race. The victory earned trainer Dan Mac Farlane and owner Joseph Shumer a winner’s share of $65,700.
Jockey Elvin Gonzalez guided Cornishman to the win and continued the longtime Fonner Park tradition of celebrating by drinking from the trophy cup in the winner’s circle.
Another featured event, the Elite Sprint Cup, also saw a purse increase this season, rising from $30,000 to $50,000. Nebraska-based Joe Sixpack captured the race under jockey Travis Cunningham for trainer Marvin Johnson. The victory paid owner Spencer Kucera $30,800.
The 2026 meet also featured standout performances throughout the season from several horsemen and jockeys. Mark Hibdon earned both Champion Trainer and Champion Owner honors after recording 35 wins and more than $400,000 in earnings while campaigning just over 200 horses during the meet.
Champion Jockey honors went to Jose Medina, who secured his first Fonner Park riding title with 54 wins from 239 mounts, finishing with a 23 percent win rate. Medina and fellow jockey Alberto Pusac each reached the 1,000-career-win milestone at Fonner Park during the month of April.
Fans attending races this year also saw several major improvements around the facility. Fonner Park unveiled a renovated infield toteboard featuring upgraded LED lighting, along with 110 new HD televisions and a large LED video board measuring 29 feet by 16 feet.
Earlier in the season, the track also introduced a new bronze sculpture near the north clubhouse entrance titled “The Thoroughbred Treasure.” Designed by Chris Kotulak and created by Nebraska artist Martha Pettigrew, the sculpture honors the long-standing dedication of both horses and horsemen connected to Fonner Park racing history.
