SHAKOPEE, MN – The members of the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association gathered at a pre-race brunch at Canterbury Park to honor the cream of the crop of the 2020 racing season.
Cameron Mahlum, MTA President, opened the festivities with some opening remarks and introduced Vice-President Rick Bremer who, along with his wife Cheryl Sprick, donated nearly five tons of hay to Bowman’s Second Chance Thoroughbred Adoption. Bremer recapped their eventful trip that included a pair of blown tires and limited visibility due to the Canadian wildfires. The MTA is still taking donations for the center.
Here are the awards that were presented today.
OLDER MALE
Drop of Golden Sun (Breeder: Winchester Place; Owner: Rengstorf Racing)
He was three of four at Canterbury in 2020 with stakes wins in the Wally’s Choice and Blairs Cove (turf) and a second in the Ralph Strangis. He kicked off the local season with an optional claiming win as well.
Owner/trainer Tony Rengstorf spoke first accepting the award with his typical brevity. “I appreciate Winchester Place getting me the horse, it’s really been a lot of fun for me and my family.”
Breeder Lori Micheals, who operates as Winchester Place Thoroughbreds, was a bit more effusive.
“She was such a small two-year-old that we never put her in training,” Michaels said. “Even at three he was still small, but we had to do something. He still wasn’t very good but he won at four and was great at five. Tony has done such a great job. Under his tutelage he’s really blossomed and the only reason we are accepting this award is because Tony did such a great job.”
OLDER FEMALE
Ready To Runaway (Owner: John Mentz)
She foreshadowed her 2020 success with a trio of in the money finishes at the very tough Oaklawn meet before shipping north. She came to Canterbury and was 4-5 with wins in the Lady Slipper, Glitter Star and Bella Notte as well as an optional claimer. The lone defeat came over the turf by a neck in the Minnesota Distaff Turf.
Owner John Mentz said of his champion, “Thanks to the horse, she’s been great, and to my family as well. This is the first time I’ve come to thetrack knowing I was definitely going to win something.”
3-YEAR-OLD MALE
Northern Playboy (Owned and bred by Francisco Bravo and Dale Schenian)
Northern Playboy was two for two in his debut season with a maiden special weight win as well as the Minnesota Derby.
“What a surprise this horse was,” said co-owner/breeder and trainer Francisco Bravo. “I told Dale that if we ran third or fourth in the Derby we would be happy.
“When we won he said, ‘I can’t believe you did this to me, I didn’t bet him!’ I told him to forget about that.”
3-YEAR-OLD FEMALE
Hotasapistol (Breeder: Gary Bergsrud; Owner: Gary and Brenda Bergsrud)
During her three-year-old campaign she won an allowance and the Minnesota Oaks while 3rd in the Frances Genter.
Breeder/Co-owner Gary Bergsrud wanted to thank the MTA and gave all the credit to trainer Clinton Stuart and his team.
2-YEAR-OLD MALE
Sneeky Diversion (Breeder: Scott Pierce; Owner: Lothenbach Stables LLC)
He was two for two as a freshman, taking a Maiden Special Weight and the Northern Lights Futurity.
2-YEAR-OLD-FEMALE
Star of the North (Breeder: Eureka Thoroughbred Farm; Owner: Michael Grossman)
After a third-place finish in her debut, she hasn’t seen another horse in front of her at the finish line. She broke her maiden second time out then captured the Northern Lights Debutante, both with ease.
“She is every breeder’s dream,” said owner/breeder Michael Grossman. “And she’s only getting better. However, she’s a nightmare for those that train her and deal with her every day and Francisco, Scott and Ry have done a great job with her.”
MINNESOTA OWNED
Bell’s the One (Owner: Lothenbach Stables LLC)
She was 2-5 last season with wins in the Grade 3 Winning Colors and Grade 1 Derby City Distaff and a pair of thirds in the Grade 1 Madison and Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.
She’s already won a pair of stakes this year including a win at Saratoga in the Grade 2 Honorable Miss Handicap.
MINNESOTA BROODMARE OF THE YEAR
Dana’s Lucky Lady owned by Sugarland Thoroughbreds. The dam of stakes winner Dame Plata as well as multiple stakes placed Rush Hour Traffic.
While breeder Sugarland Thoroughbreds could not make the banquet, Dave Pelletier sent a statement.
“I feel honored. There have been a couple of times I thought she was going be a fish story – the one that got away; but I’m fortunate to still own her. She’s in foal again to Cross Traffic after taking a year off after a difficult delivery when she nearly bled to death.”
MINNESOTA STALLION OF THE YEAR
Kela, owned by Kela Minnesota LLC, was represented last year by 14 different winners at Canterbury Park.
“I really get a thrill, especially when a Kela beats progeny of the Kentucky stallions,” said owner Steve Erban, but also added a word of warning. “We really need to find a way to get high level stallions to Minnesota. If we want to continue Minnesota racing as an industry, it’s important that we do something about it now.”
MINNESOTA TRAINER OF THE YEAR
Francisco Bravo
Bravo had the highest winning percentage with Minnesota breds among all MTA member trainers. Bravo thanked his family, his owner and his team. “I stand up here and take all the credit,” he said. “But the team does all the work.”
TOBA AWARD/CHARLES BELLINGHAM AWARDS
The two prestigious breeding awards both went to Winchester Place Thoroughbreds. The Bellingham is tied to the earnings of Minnesota bred progeny while the TOBA award gives points based on finish position and class of racing.
Lori Michaels, owner of Winchester Place, accepted the awards.
“I want to thank the MTA,” Michaels said. “Not just for this, but for always being there for everything.
“This was so unexpected,” she continued. “I’m just blown away.”
