SHAKOPEE, MN – It’s Pete Mattson and Tim Padilla’s Minnesota and we’re just living in it.  The duo combined for wins in three of the four Made in Minnesota night stakes Saturday night at Canterbury Park. Mattson is the breeder or co-breeder of all three while Padilla shares in one and Bruce Malkerson another.

First the non-Mattson/Padilla winner. The bridge jumpers were out in force for the $100,000 Minnesota Oaks, putting $58,654 of the $76,744 on the 1-9 favorite Cupids Crush.  Thunders Rocknroll was unimpressed and took it right to the favorite from the break, grabbing the lead and never letting go.

“We were the speed of the race, no question,” said winning trainer Bernell Rhone.  “Cupids Crush stalked us, like she should have, but the filly just ran an amazing race. Alonso (Quinonez) gave her a great ride.”

Despite turning back in only one week’s time, Thunders Rocknroll was able to get to the lead and pour it on late.

“We entered the race because we knew we could win,” said winning owner and breeder Bob Lindgren. “She has excellent breeding and we thought she could do it.”

Thunders Rocknroll paid $15.80 to win and covered the mile and 70 yards in 1:42.19.  Cupids Crush ($2.10), erratic in the stretch, was 9 lengths behind in second and Lover Girl ($2.10) was third.

In the $65,000 Glitter Star Stakes, She’s My Warrior broke alertly and never looked back, despite being pressured most of the way by It’s Her Time.

Co-owned by Mattson and Padilla, and trained by Padilla, the four-year-old filly had offseason surgery to help her breathe and that’s been paying dividends this season.

“I knew that she would go to the lead and that she could win if she wasn’t pressured,” said Mattson.  “She was pressured but she ran hard and kept going.”

“It makes all the difference that she can breathe now,” said Padilla.

Alonso Quinonez was aboard, winning his second stake on the card.  She’s My Warrior paid $13.60 for the win and stopped the timer at 1:45.39 for the mile and a sixteenth.  It’s Her Time ($8.60) was second and Molly’s Angel ($3.40) was third.

“It would have been nice to finish 1-2,” said Mattson, who owns and bred Molly’s Angel as well, with a wry smile. “But this is good too.”

Though Mattson and Padilla were unable to finish 1-2 in the Glitter Star, they came back in the Wally’s Choice with the defending champion, Thealligatorhunter, and the 5-year-old gelding nearly followed the same script as his ½ sister, She’s My Warrior (both are out of broodmare Garden Gloves).

Breaking on top, Thealligatorhunter ($6.00) led from gate to wire.  Xavey Dave ($2.80) and Eduardo Gaillardo came running late but could not get to the wire in time. Devil Vision ($3.00) was third.

“It’s very satisfying to see them come up from little babies,” said Mattson. “Then they go into training, grow up and then you race against your friends. Then to be able to win and get a trophy. It’s great.”

Hanging in to win by a neck in 1:42.42 had Mattson on the edge.

“Xavey Dave has beaten us twice and I knew that he would be coming,” said Mattson.  “He’s a good horse and I knew he would be closing.”

Leaving the winners’ circle, Mattson and Padilla were overheard to say, “We’re not done yet.” 

And they were right.

The finale of Made in Minnesota Day was the $100,000 Minnesota Derby. A field of eight three-year-olds with limited experience going long entered the gate and Sir Sterling, undefeated as a three-year-old, and Roses by Liam, were about $1300 apart as the 6-5 cofavorites.

Longshot Jose Patio, at 25-1, broke on top from the rail and had Sir Sterling on his flank all the way down the backstretch in the mile and 70-yard race.  In the interim, jockey Alsonso Quinonez who already had two stakes winners from his two mounts on the evening, guided Roses by Liam mid-pack, staying within striking distance as the front pair dueled.

Heading for home, Roses by Liam was able to get his nose in front of Jose Patio and Sir Sterling had started tiring. As they moved through the lane, Roses by Liam increased his lead finally crossing the wire 3 ¾ lengths ahead of a very determined Jose Patio.

Roses by Liam, trained by Padilla and co-bred by Mattson and Bruce Malkerson, stopped the clock in 1:42.53 and paid $4.60.  Jose Patio paid a whopping $16.40 to place while It’s Bob’s Business ($3.40) was third.

“We got two beautiful trips,” Quinonez said of the Oaks and Glitter Star scores. “Both of my fillies run pretty much the same style. I was just able to save horse and come home.

“Ninety percent of the game is the horse,” Quinonez said after the Derby. “The horse here deserves most of the credit.”

“Roses by Liam is the brother of Love the Nest, who won the Derby last year and I sold to Bob Lothenbach,” said Mattson.  “This one I didn’t sell.”

“Every time I get to stand here like this,” Mattson said. “I can’t help but think of Cam Casby.  She took a lot of us boys and showed us what’s what, how to race and how to do things the right way.”

Mattson learned his lessons well and somewhere Cam is smiling.