It's Opening/closing day/race at Lincoln

Punters playing the first race today at Lincoln Race Course (FREE Brisnet.com Ultimate PPs) will look to get their meeting started and ended on the right and left feet, as the $3,500 claiming event for Nebraska breds is the only race at the Lincoln, Nebraska, track.

The one-furlong contest with a $3,900 purse satisfies Nebraska law that requires tracks to conduct at least one live race a year to offer simulcasting.

Omaha Exposition and Racing is conducting the race and is offering win wagering only on the three-horse field with The Straw Man the 7-to-5 morning line favorite. The 11-year-old Canaveral gelding is unraced since April at Fonner but has two workouts this year at the track for owner-trainer Brian Roberts.

The Straw Man's nine-month layoff is the longest of the three entrants, but they've all been on the shelf since at least August 26. Still, the biggest question is probably the one-furlong distance of the race rather than the layoff since they've all posted a workout at Fonner this year.

Because of the distance, my choice is Sonic Bloom, the only "E" type in the race, and as the longest shot at 3-to-1, why not? The Straw Man is an "S" type who has run distance races, so I can't imagine a furlong is his optimal distance. Bluff Center Road is at least an "E/P" type, but the worst race on his page came at four furlongs, and while his E1 pace figures are faster than The Straw Man's, they're typically slower than Sonic Bloom.

A good jockey is essential for gate speed, and though The Straw Man has the biggest "name" in 19% rider Jake Olesiak, Sonic Bloom's rider, Jose Ranilla, is a solid 12% overall with a 15% strike rate on "E" types. Bluff Center Road's jockey, meanwhile, is a lowly 3% overall and an even worse 2% in sprints, which tells me any edge he might have would come in longer races.

Unfortunately, TwinSpires.com is not carrying this prestigious event from Lincoln, but I know a guy who knows some guys in Nebraska, so I'm hoping I can still "get down" on a top pick who also happens to be the longest shot on the morning line.

UPDATE: Sonic Bloom won and paid $3.20. See how easy it is to handicap with Brisnet.com Ultimate PPs?