SHAKOPEE, MN – Perennially among the leading trainers at Tampa Bay Downs, Gerald Bennett shipped up He’s Smokin Now to compete in the $60,000 MTA Stallion Auction Stakes at Canterbury Wednesday night, went off as the favorite and did not disappoint.

Three wide for most of the trip under Alonso Quinonez, who obviously know how much horse he had under him, He’s Smokin Now struck to the front entering the lane and steadily drew away under urging to win by 1 1/2 lengths. He covered the 6 1/2 furlongs on the main track in 1:17.34 and paid $3.60.

Lil Ninja ($4.00) fought hard the entire way, but was unable to stay with the winner late. Valentine Guy ($2.60) was third.

The eligibility for the race are for horses who were progeny of stallion season’s sold at the 2017 Minnesota Thoroughbred Association’s stallion auction. The purse of the race has steadily increased and that has drawn more interest to both the race, and the MTA’s annual auction.

“We’ve started seeing better stallions the last few years,” said MTA President Cameron Mahlum. “The more attention the race gets the better stallions we can recruit for the auction.”

“It’s good to see non-Minnesota breds in the race, too” added MTA Vice-President Rick Bremer. “It shows that more and more horsemen are paying attention to the race.”

“The long term goal,” said Mahlum, “Is to have a race for both sexes, but we can only do that if we can get more stallions for the auction. It’s good that we can see we’re moving in the right direction.”