SHAKOPEE, MN – Eduardo Gallardo, hobbled by an injury suffered last week, set aside the pain and rode the winners in both $50,000 Canterbury Park Stakes races, the Lady Slipper and the 10,000 Lakes.
“I’m feeling much better,” Gallardo smiled after booting home the pair.
In the Lady Slipper, heavily favored Thunders Rocknroll ($3.20) got out to an early lead and held off the charge of Lover Girl ($3.80) to prevail by 2 lengths in 1:11.45.
“She is the best horse I’ve ever had,” said breeder/owner Bob Lindgren. “And I have a horse in the Hall of Fame.” She’s My Warrior ($4.20) was third.
Thunders Rocknroll is trained by Jon Arnett.
The overwhelming 2/5 favorite in the 10,000 Lakes Stakes was Doctor Oscar. The defending champion and multiple stakes winner enjoys running on the front end but stumbled slightly out of the gate, spotting the field three lengths for the six-furlong sprint.
Taking advantage was Sir Sterling, the 2023 MTA Stallion Auction and Vic Myers Stakes champion. He ran neck and neck with Oscar’s stablemate, Thealligatorhunter, for most the race. As it appeared that Sir Sterling was putting away the Thealligatorhunter in deep stretch, Doctor Oscar started closing stoutly.
Displaying the heart of a champion, Doctor Oscar, under Alonso Quinonez, was making up ground with every stride but the wire came up too fast and the rally fell short by a ½ length.
Sir Sterling, a homebred of Chad Kuehn, covered the six furlongs in 1:10.46 and paid $33.20. Doctor Oscar ($2.10) was second and Thealligatorhunter ($2.20) was third.
