SHAKOPEE, MN – The final night of racing at Canterbury Park went out the most 2020 way possible.
The last race seemed to come down to a pair of aptly named horses: Minnesota Lucky and Minnesota Miracle. The duo gave track announcer Paul Allen the opportunity to thank fans across the country for their record wagering this summer as well as the horsemen and women, track officials and employees, owners and the die-hard state mandated limited number of live-racing fans from being “Lucky” to get a meet started amidst the pandemic and a “Miracle” to make it through the season.
Naturally, 2020 (with an assist from a rapidly improving former apprentice, Kelsi Harr) had something to say about Paul’s beautiful, heartfelt salute to the unique meet and its participants. Nearly the moment the words “Minnesota Miracle is gone!” started to reverberate around the track, Devil Vision stormed down the center of the racetrack to nip Minnesota Miracle at the wire and put a cork on the season; the kind of ending that only 2020 could have provided.
HBPA Sprint, Shakopee Juvenile
King of the Court, bet down to the 8/5 favorite in the wagering for the $50,000 Tom Metzen HBPA Sprint, did not disappoint the fans, withstanding a furious late charge from long shot Arcadia Falls to win the race in 1:09.23.
Jockey Francisco Arrieta let the King settle behind the early speed of longshot Keller’s Gold and then Chicago steam The Tabulator. Prior to the half mile mark, The Tabulator struck t the front, but Arrieta let the King go who cruised up the rail to the leading pair and breezed on by. King of the Court paid $5.40 to win. Arcadia Falls closed to within a neck and paid $5.40 to place. Morning line favorite, The Tabulator ($3.00) was third.
Trainer Mac Robertson won his fourth consecutive $50,000 Shakopee Juvenile with Heart Full of Soul. The lone filly in the field went gate to wire for the win. She was pressed hard by runner up Strong Rules in the lane, but repelled the challenge to win by two lengths in 1:10.16.
Ridden by Francisco Arrieta, Heart Full of Soul paid $7.00 to win. Strong Rules ($3.60) was second and Edge to Edge was third ($3.40).
Three of Robertson’s wins in the Juvenile have been won by fillies: Amy’s Challenge in 2017, Sassy Seneca last year and this year with Heart of Soul.
Leading Trainer, Owner, Jockey
Trainer Joel Berndt was the meets leading trainer for the first time, outlasting perennial leading trainer Mac Robertson 45-36.
“We didn’t know when we’d be running here,” he said of the pandemic effected meet, “and we didn’t have a plan B. It was a real team effort in the barn with the grooms, hot walkers, exercise riders. My name is just on the program.”
Berndt also credited owner Bob Lothenbach, who captured the leading owner title in a route, 32-12 over Danny Caldwell.
Ry Eikleberry exploded late to break open the leading rider race, winning by 6 over Francisco Arietta, 77-71.
“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more patient,” said Eikleberry. “You learn to have more patience during a race and finish well.”
Eikleberry, whose wife Jilique is a native Minnesotan, looks at Canterbury as a second home.
“It’s really special to be here every summer,” said Eikleberry. “It’s nice to have family here to support you.”
The top quarter horse trainer was Jason Olmstead for the sixth consecutive season. He had 19 wins. Nik Goodwin won the quarter riding honors with 10 victories. Corey Wilmes was leading quarter horse owner with six wins.
Chief Steward Hooper Retires
The chief steward at Canterbury Park, David Hooper, retired after the final race of the season, capping a 60-year career in racing. Hooper’s career has spanned the coasts and everywhere in between. He covered racing for newspapers, worked at several race tracks, called races, worked for breed organizations, taught a generation of racetrackers and wrapped his career as a steward, the last eight years at Canterbury Park. Hooper was a mentor to many and a friend to all. He’ll head back to his wife, Martha, in Texas Saturday morning. I believe that we at the MWPR speak for many when we say “Best wishes, enjoy being together and you will be sorely missed.”
