SHAKOPEE, MN – Trainer Mac Robertson, always a threat in the stakes program at Canterbury Park, won two of the four stakes on the Wednesday evening card, including a Frances Genter Stakes record from Defend the Rose.

$50,000 Frances Genter

Defend the Rose opened up the stakes action by breaking clean and taking the field of three year olds in the $50,000 France Genter Stakes gate to wire under jockey Alex Canchari.

“She really is a push button horse,” said Canchari. “I let her take her time before the race because she was already pretty warm in this heat. I really want to thank Mac and the owners for letting me ride her.”

Defend the Rose was only pressured once moving out of the far turn and she put away that threat from Hotasapistol easily.

“She just went and did that on her own,” said Canchari. “She was really relaxed all the way around.”

Bred by Malkerson Stables and owned by Novogratz Racing Stable, Defend the Rose covered the six furlongs in a stakes record 1:09.46 and paid $5.00 for the win. Favored Rush Hour Traffic ($3.20) was second and Hotasapistol ($6.00) held on for 3rd.

$50,000 VIC MYERS

Trainer Gary Scherer, beaten by a stakes record in the Genter, was not going to be denied in the Vic Myers. His trainee, Weekend Ride, the odds on favorite, led from gate to wire for jockey Denny Velazquez.

“Because of the virus we didn’t get this horse until really late,” said Scherer. “He wasn’t totally fit in his last race – and he still may be a little short, he was short strided a little late – but he was better today.”

The race was all but over at the half mile mark and Denny Velazquez only had to keep him out of trouble the rest of the way en route to a 2 length victory.

“He’s a fighter,” Scherer added. “And he is very fast. He’ll will fight until he faints if you let him.”

Weekend Ride paid $3.60 to win. Maiden Mynameis Prince ($8.00), pinched back badly at the start, rallied hard for second while Public Safety ($4.20) was third.

Weekend Ride was bred by Wildcat Ranch and is owned by Jeff Drown.

MINNESOTA DISTAFF TURF

There seemingly was nothing that Ready to Runaway couldn’t do on a racetrack as she stepped onto the Canterbury turf course for the first time as the even money favorite. A lot of respect for a horse making her first lifetime start on the sod.

A head in front of Firstmate heading into the stretch, Firstmate dug deep and Roimes Chirinos never stopped riding hard as he slipped the 5-1 up the rail to upset Ready to Runaway by a neck.

“She didn’t run a bad race last time out,” said trainer Valorie Lund. “She wanted more ground and she got that today.”

Firstmate covered the 7 1/2 furlongs in 1:28.56 for owners Barry and Joni Butzow.

“I told Barry the other day that should would run a big race,” Lund said. “She was just training so well and she is so happy. And she’s a really versatile little mare.”

Firstmate paid $12.80 to win. Ready to Runaway ($3.80) was second while veteran Honey’s Sox Appeal ($3.80).

Firstmate was bred by Richard Bremer and Cheryl Sprick.

$50,000 RALPH STRANGIS

Cinco Star took command of the race heading down the backstretch where he put nearly two lengths on the field, but as they turned for home, he got company from Drop of Golden Sun, encouraged by Ry Eikleberry. The duo moved through the turn together, covering six furlongs in 1:10.95.

“I was really happy when the other speed scratched,” said owner/breeder John Mentz. “When PA said that the fractions were moderate, I thought we really had a chance.”

Midway through the stretch, Cinco Star gave up the lead by a head to Drop of Golden Sun, but the five year old gelding never gave up and battled back gamely under Constantino Roman to out-bob Drop of Golden Sun at the finish at 17-1.

“I thought we were done in the stretch,” Mentz admitted. “He’s been such a good horse for us and his dam has been a nice producer. His 3-year old half sister, Haddy Up, was second first time out in the earlier maiden special weight today.

“I want to thank Lisa Duoos at Dove Hill Farm, Mentz added. “The key to any breeding is to bring the babies up right and she’s done an excellent job with ours for years.”

Cinco Star ($36.80) stopped the clock at 1:28.06 for the 7 1/2 furlongs. Drop of Golden Sun ($6.60) was second and Fireman Oscar ($4.40) was third.

Mentz bred and owns Cinco Star and the win gave trainer Mac Robertson his second stakes victory on the card.