SHAKOPEE, MN – Independence Day brings celebrations, picnics, remembrances, family time and at Canterbury Park, a pair of stakes to preview the contenders for the Minnesota Oaks and Minnesota Derby to be run on August 8.
The third race on the card is the $60,000 Vic Myers Stakes for colts and geldings going six furlongs over the main track.
The short field looks like it will come down to a battle between horses owned by two key members of Canterbury Park’s reopening in 1995: Curtis Sampson and Dale Schenian.
Schenian’s Hold for More is the ½ morning line favorite having won three races in four lifetime starts. His head win earlier this season against older horses in a state bred allowance was an impressive start to the new season. Back in against three year olds for the Myers, Hold for More looks to be a formidable competitor.
Sampson’s Keith’s Legacy has also bested older horses in both of his 2015 starts, a maiden special weight and state bred allowance. Both of the top choices have a stalking style and, fortunately for them, the other starters in the race all will want to be on the lead and should play into their hands.
Down the lane it should be Dean Butler and Hugo Sanchez battling it out for Schenian and Sampson.
The $60,000 six furlong Frances Genter for 3-year old fillies features the outstanding Shaboom out of the Mac Robertson barn. Bred and owned by Dorothy Erban, Shaboom has been nothing less than spectacular in her two career starts, winning the maiden special weight and state bred allowance by a combined 17 ¼ lengths.
The only way to beat her may be try and running away with the race on the front end and that looks to be the purview of Gold Cup Skier but the last time she tried to do that to Shaboom she ended up finishing fifth, 15 ½ lengths back.
Sioux Appeal and Silver Magna both appear to similar styles to Shaboom and though neither appear to be as fast as she is, both are coming off strong allowance wins versus older fillies and mares as well as solid bullet workouts in preparation for the Genter.
The stakes are early on the holiday card in races three and four. Canterbury will also be giving away free hot dogs as well as wiener dog races. Post time for the first race is 12:55.
