SHAKOPEE, MN – [EDITORS NOTE: Each day this week we previewed a pair of races for Festival Day. Today: Minnesota Quarter Horse Futurity and Derby.]
The final two events on Festival Day are a pair of Quarter Horse dashes, the $70,000 Minnesota Futurity and Minnesota Derby.
The 350-yard Futurity appears to be all about Beep Beep Rev Rev. The Summer Run Inc. filly has won four of six career starts. In the Juvenile Challenge at Prairie Meadows she just missed by a neck last out and her only sound defeat was created by a bad break. Admittedly it was at a bad time, the $63,000 Minnesota Quarter Horse Racing Association Futurity, but otherwise she’s really done nothing wrong for trainer Jason Olmstead and rider Edwin Escobedo.
Olmstead has another contender in Relentless Flash. While only breaking her maiden last out, she did notch a speed index of 81, third best in the field.
Trainer Mallory Norton, who has had an outstanding meet this summer at Canterbury, sends out Iza B Quick. The gelding breaks from post nine under Ron Beverly Jr. and is just a nose away from going two for two in his young career, missing by a nose last out in a 300-yard open allowance. The extra fifty yards could be the difference for him.
The 400-yard Derby is packed with contenders. The tepid 3-1 morning line favorite is Trippin Guns for trainer Bri McDaniel. Doug Frink, who rode the gelding to a second-place finish in the Cash Caravan behind phenom Jess Rocket Man, gets the reins. The Cash Caravan was easily the highest speed index in the field and a repeat of that performance should get Trippin Guns the win.
However, there are several other accomplished runners in the field.
Relentless Courage, last year’s Minnesota Futurity winner, leads the Olmstead contingent. So far this year he has been close, but not able to get over the top. In his one run against state breds this year in the North Star State Derby, a bad start compromised his chances. A clean break and he will give Trippin Guns all he can handle.
Another Olmstead charge, Relentless Legacy, won that North Star State Derby and comes back in this spot after a third in the Canterbury Park Quarter Horse Derby.
First post on Festival Day is 4:10 PM and the weather is expected to be delightful.
Good luck and safe travels to all the connections and, if you’re wagering, best of luck!
