SHAKOPEE, MN – In a pair of races that looked competitive on paper, the end results were never in doubt. Both favorites, Clickbait in the Lady Slipper and Mr. Jagermeister in the 10,000 Lakes, won easily yet both races produced some excitement anyway. The Lady Slipper gave jockey Cecily Evans her first ever stakes win while Mr. Jagermeister once again stamped himself as the Minnesota sprinter to beat this summer.
In the $50,000 Lady Slipper, Hotasapistol threw down the gauntlet out of the gate, seizing the early lead to take the field through the first half of the six-furlong dash when Clickbait picked it up and beat the field with it. She strode out confidently under Cecily Evans, winning by 4 ½ lengths in 1:09.77.
“I really like this filly,” said a beaming Evans, clearly thrilled with her first ever stakes win. “I’ve always liked her. She’s my favorite and it’s great to see her doing so well.”
Clickbait paid $4.20 to win. Stablemate Ready to Runaway was up for second ($2.20) and Rush Hour Traffic ($2.40) third.
Clickbait is owned by Hugh Robertson, Jeff Mentz and Jeff Larson, was bred by Eric and Mary Von Seggern and trained by Mac Robertson.
In the $50,000 10,000 Lakes, Mr. Jagermeister ($4.40) sat just off the early pace set by Drop of Golden Sun and took control through the turn. He drew off without much urging and finished under the wire up 4 ¾ lengths on Drop of Golden Sun ($4.40) who stayed on for second. Cinco Star ($5.20) was third.
When Mr. Jagermeister returned to the winners’ circle, he certainly looked no worse for wear and he was clearly a looker in the paddock as pointed out to the assembly by paddock analyst Brian Arrigoni.
“It was the trip we wanted, for sure,” said co-owner and trainer Valorie Lund. “Ruben (Fuentes) is such a good fit for him. I don’t think Jags wants a lot of power and Ruben is very patient and sits quietly on him.”
Mr. Jagermeister clearly responded well to the handling and, with the emphatic win, reasserted himself as a force to be reckoned with this summer in Shakopee.
With the win, the six-year old earned $30,000 and became the richest Minnesota-bred money earner in history with lifetime earnings of $645,434, surpassing sixth-place finisher Hot Shot Kid. The final time of 1:08.54 is a new 10,000 Lakes Stakes record.
