SHAKOPEE, MN – Lynnder 16 and Danjer came into the challenge night at Canterbury Park with a lot of hype and expectations. Neither disappointed.
Danjer, national aged horse of the year in 2020, wasted no time in establishing dominance in the $52,360 Grade 3 Bank of America Championship Challenge, breaking quickly under Cody Smith and gradually extended his lead, winning by 2 ¼ lengths. He covered the 440 yards in 21.414. Danjer is owned (with Downtime Enterprises LLC and Billy G Smith), trained and bred by Dean Fry.
Danjer paid $2.20 to win with second place Juice is Loose paid $3.80. There was no show wagering after scratches whittled down the field to four.
Lynnder 16 broke slightly behind her chief rival, Apollitical Mogul, in the $38,615 Challenge Distaff Championship, but she steadily gained on her throughout the 400 yards under Edwin Escobedo to win in 19.702 over the sloppy surface.
Lynnder 16 paid $3.80 as the heavy favorite. Apollitical Mogul ($3.00) held on for second with Lovepop ($5.20) third.
Lynnder 16 is owned by Tom Maher and Richard Tobin and trained by Jason Olmstead.
The two-year-olds took the track for the $71,362 MQHRA Stallion Auction Futurity with trainer Jason Olmstead conditioning half the 10-horse field after rock solid performances in the trials.
Relentless Courage ($9.40), Sw the Redeemer ($16.20) and Relentless Babe ($2.60) broke one, two, three and they finished 350 yards later in the same position. Luis Valenzuela rode hard throughout to give trainer Olmstead the win for owners Tom Maher and Paul Luedemann, stopping the clock at 17.762.
The top three finishers were all sired by Hes Relentless.
The $25,432 Distance Challenge kicked off the evening at about the time the heavens opened up, leaving the rest of the card to finish in a driving rain.
Ms Esther, the slight second choice (both she and Fasta Than Hasta both went off at 4/5), broke last in the four-horse field, but Andrew Samaniego sat chilly through the first half of the 870 race then came charging hard up the rail and take command. Ms Esther ($3.80) drew off to cruise to a 5 ½ length win in 45.375 over long shot Sw Artemisia ($7.60).
“She had a little time off, so I really didn’t know what to expect,” said Samaniego. “She broke really well and she was just awesome today.”
The winner is owned by Jordan Baumann and is trained by Vic Hanson.
Next up for the Quarter Horses will be the $25,000 added North Star State Derby on Wednesday, July 14.
