SHAKOPEE, MN – On Hall of Fame night at Canterbury Park, Hall of Famer Mac Robertson put on a training clinic, winning five of the eight races on the card. Apprentice jockey Serafin Carmona booted home five winners himself, including his first two career stakes wins.
The first stake of the day was the Vic Myers, the six-furlong prep race for the Minnesota Derby. The question asked was if Street Warrior’s crushing maiden breaking victory was an outlier of if he is the real thing.
The answer? The real thing.
Stalking the early leader, Eduardo Gallardo angled him to the outside and he just romped away from the field to win by nine in 1:10.82.
Winning trainer Joel Berndt said, “He’s a special horse. He’s solid mentally and physically and that makes it easier to train him. He just does everything effortlessly.”
General Battle Axe ($7.20) was second and Superstar Swank ($3.00) was third.
Street Warrior is now two for two in his short career and was bred and is owned by Suzanne Stables.
Midnight Current was looking to defend her title in the Minnesota Distaff Turf and came back in a big way, scooting up the rail late to chase down the early leader, She’s My Warrior, and then hold off stablemate Let’s Skedaddle.
Midnight Current gave Gallardo his second stakes win on the card as well as trainer Joel Berndt.
“I liked the way she was sitting on the backside and I thought we were good until I realized we needed a rail trip,” said Berndt.
Gallardo was able to negotiate through the traffic for the win, paying $4.40.
Let’s Skedaddle paid $5.00 to place and She’s My Warrior ($8.80) held on for third. The covered the 7 ½ furlongs in 1:28.64.
In the Minnesota Oaks prep race, the France Genter, Xtreme Diva opened at 1/9 and never moved a bit and she ran like a 1/9 should, covering the six furlongs in 1:10.41 and stamping herself as the favorite for the Oaks.
“She was fantastic,” said Xtreme Racing’s Mike McGowan. “We took her to Oaklawn and she won a big stake for us there. None of this happens without Mac, Nik Goodwin who trained her when she was a yearling and a two-year-old and everyone in the barn.”
Call Em All ($2.20) was second and Honorable Mischief was third. There was no show wagering in the four-horse race.
The McGowans’ Xtreme Racing Stable wasn’t done yet. In the 7th race, The Mr. Dale Filly and Mare Turf Sprint, their Cupid’s Crush ($8.60) stalked early under Serafin Carmona and then tore away late, winning the five-furlong dash by 2 ¾ in 56:46.
Disappointing in her local debut in the Lady Slipper Stakes, she proved all was well in the Mr. Dale.
“I’m not sure why she ran so badly last time,” said trainer Mac Robertson. “She ran nice on the turf here last year, so we entered.”
Mike McGowan was quick to give credit to winning jockey Carmona, who ended up with a career best five wins by the end of the card.
“Carmona gets up front and he always gives you a chance to win.”
“I love all my horses,” said Vicki McGowan, “but she is very special.”
Thunders Rocknroll ($5) was second and Savona ($6.80) was third.
In the 7 ½ furlong Ralph Strangis Memorial, Carmona notched his first stakes win (followed up in the next race with Xtreme Diva) aboard the Mac Robertson trained, Xavey Dave.
“Mac told me that there was a lot of speed in the race,” said Carmona. “He wanted me to lay off and come late.”
Xavey Dave ($4) ran down Thealligatorhunter ($3.20) and Half Brother ($3.20) was third. The final time was 1:27.83.
The day began with a race dedicated to the memory of Heliskier, who passed away in the off-season. ‘Skier’s owner, Marlene Colvin, was on hand to celebrate with many family and friends.
Last night, Hot Shot Kid was inducted into the Canterbury Hall of Fame along with outstanding breeders, Rick Bremer and Cheryl Sprick.
Racing continues at Canterbury on Sunday at 1 PM with Extreme Day (Camels, Ostrich and Zebra racing) before taking a 10-day hiatus to host the Ram Trucks Rodeo on July 19 & 20. Racing will resume on Wednesday, July 24th.
