SHAKOPEE, MN – Minnesota owned (Barry & Joni Butzow) Sirenusa produced an emphatic win in the Northbound Pride Oaks Memorial Day at Canterbury Park while the Honor the Hero was postponed for a week.  Contrary to rumor, it was not the power of Sirenusa’s move that opened the heavens that caused the delay but a stretch of prolonged lightening that forced the rescheduling.  The Honor the Hero was redrawn on Wednesday and will take place Saturday.

Sirenusa, under Adam Beschizza, stalked the field through the first three quarters of the mile contest and merely shook the reins at her to get her to move.  She accelerated through the turn on the outside and he only had to hand ride her through the wire to win by three lengths.

“This is a nice filly,” Beschizza said.  “She has a lot of class about her.”

Co-owner Barry Butzow gave a lot of credit to trainer Joe Sharp.

“He’s a great young trainer,” Butzow said.  “He’s a very real young man: he’s real with the horses; he’s real with his family and everything.  There is nothing fake about him.”

Could the next step be the $100,000 Lady Canterbury on Northern Stars Racing Festival Day on June 23?

“That’s up to Joe,” said Butzow.  “This is our home and we’d love to win the Lady Canterbury but Joe will decide what’s next.”

Sirenusa paid $3.60 for the win.  Sippin Kitten was second ($3.20) and Passion Plus ($2.60) was third.  She covered the mile over a firm turf course in 1:36.96.

HONOR THE HERO REDRAWS

The $50,000 Honor the Hero, cancelled on Saturday due to lightening, was redrawn Wednesday for Saturday where it will be run as the 8th race on the card going five furlongs over the turf.

The field was whittled from 11 to 7 with the delay with strong contender Get A Valentine along with Hay Dakota, Boston Charley and He’s Munnie opting out of the race.

The field now, in post position order is:

Bushrod (Becker/Hamilton)

Jack’s Snipe (Scherer/Goodwin)

Consumerconfidence (Davis/Arrieta)

Majestic Pride (Robertson/Butler)

Indy Forest (Foley/De’Oliveira)

Wings Locked Up (Stuart/Mojica)

Fireman Oscar (Van Winkle/Loveberry)