Shakopee, MN – “Stakes Week” wraps this afternoon at Canterbury Park with four state bred restricted races including the traditional preps for the Minnesota Derby and Oaks, the Vic Myers and Frances Genter Respectively. Add in a $58,000 carryover in the 10% takeout pick 5 and it should be an exciting day of racing in Shakopee.
The Myers marks the local return of Love the Nest, a $105,000 Keeneland purchase by Lothenbach Stables Inc. from breeder Pete Mattson. Love the Nest has reeled off three consecutive wins dating back to last year’s maiden breaker and Northern Lights Futurity. Love the Nest is being reunited with Ry Eikleberry for the trip. Eikleberry is up from Texas to take the ride. His only start of 2022 was in a Hawthorne $75,000 Optional Claimer that he thoroughly dominated from start to finish. Trainer Joel Berndt has opted to train Love the Nest up to the Myers since that May 22 trip.
While Love the Nest will break from the outside in post 7, archrival, Doctor Oscar, will break from the post 2. While both won their last races in gate to wire fashion, Doctor Oscar came from off the pace two starts back in a state bred allowance and may have the ability to rate for regular rider Chad Lindsay should he not get off quickly. Doctor Oscar is trained by David Van Winkle.
With Happy Hour Bobby and Hap Hot also liable to show speed, don’t overlook Xavey Dave, owned and bred by the late Warren Bush and trained by Mac Robertson. Fifth in the Mystic Lake Derby and fourth in a $116,000 Keeneland Allowance, both over the turf, Xavey Dave has learned to rate and could surprise back in the dirt. Roimes Chirinos gets the ride.
Robertson has another top contender in the Genter with Brewhouse. The daughter of Tapiture, bred by Scott Pierce and owned by Vicki McGowan and John Mentz, has only one career start, but it was a beauty, seizing command early and drawing off to win by 5 ¾ lengths under Nik Goodwin. Goodwin returns to the saddle for the Genter.
Owner/breeder Pete Mattson will be looking to sweep the 3-year old stakes as well with a home bred in conjuction with trainer Tim Padilla in She’s My Warrior. Last year’s Northern Lights Debutante winner has had two starts in 2022, winning an allowance and finishing 5th in a $40,000 optional claimer. Both were against older and open company. In here she returns to face her state bred peers and should be formidable under Alonso Quinonez.
The state breds move to the turf for the 7th, a 7 ½ furlong test in the Ralph Strangis Memorial for colts and geldings.
Seven-year old warrior Twoko Bay showed he’s back in top turf form last out with a resounding win at 14-1. Lindy Wade returns to ride for trainer Gary Scherer and owners Al & Bill Ulwelling.
Thealligatorhunter, another Mattson and Padilla joint effort, has won two in a row and is trying turf for the first time. He already has the 10,000 Lakes Stakes under his belt this season. Quinonez gets the call.
Leading owners Lothenbach Stables has another contender that has reeled off a pair of wins in a row including a $36,000 allowance against open company. Bred by Richard Bremer and Cheryl Sprick, the 3-year old will try and beat his elders for a third consecutive start under Luis Fuentes.
One of the leading money winners in Canterbury Park history, Hot Shot Kid, will look to take his earnings over $700,000 in the Strangis.
The Minnesota Turf Distaff features local superstar Ready to Runaway. While she’s only run on the turf twice, she has a pair of second place finishes and is always dangerous whenever she takes the track. While breaking for the outside 11 post isn’t ideal, she has enough flexibility to give Roimes Chirinos options coming out of the starting gate.
Should she falter, Robertson stablemate Clickbait, a multiple stakes winner but 0-1 over the turf, could be there to pick up the pieces. Let’s Skedaddle, Rush Hour Traffic and Scent of Success could all play a role in the outcome as well.
The $60,000 Frances Genter, race 6, kicks off the 10% takeout pick 5 which features a carryover of $58,082. This is the first carryover for the season and expect the new money to be well over six figures by post time.
Post time for the first race is 5:10 PM for the 10-race card.
